I wonder, how hard is it to build an app on the phone from source?
Google will allow only apps from verified developers to be installed on Android
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Re: Google will allow only apps from verified developers to be installed on Android
#232> Google wants to combat “convincing fake apps” Google can't even stop the scam ai companion apps on the play store that all use the same same backend full of characters... Google also can't stop the huge wave of scam Bitcoin ads impersonating Canadian media outlets, with ai generated pictures and videos of politicians. Get real Google.
Their own store has a dozen "AI Photo Editor Pro 2026" and "Turbo Deluxe Ultra VPN Secure Pro" apps that are "approved" and yet for sure have malware at worst and at best steals your data and serves nonstop pop up ads
Re: Google will allow only apps from verified developers to be installed on Android
#233This doesn't seem to be going over well.
Only developers care. The users don't even know what sideloading is. This will successfully kill off the single remaining freedom users have.
Re: Google will allow only apps from verified developers to be installed on Android
#234As a developer of android apps that get distributed outside of the Play store, a Google identity verification system sounds like a nightmare. What if I'm deemed to be politically incorrect? Will Google brand safety exclude me?
That's exactly the goal
Re: Google will allow only apps from verified developers to be installed on Android
#235So Google won't even offer a system toggle to let users install an app they've made or copied? Google don't even expose a per-app toggle for app Internet access, why am I surprised? This is disgusting. Freedom died a little bit more today. Why is end-user choice and consent not considered? It's really disturbing that the EU and Google would do this. I can't recommend Android or iPhone because of this nonsense.
> Why is end-user choice and consent not considered?
The elimination of user choice was very much considered. In fact, it's the primary goal.
Re: Google will allow only apps from verified developers to be installed on Android
#236Official announcement: https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2025/08/elevating-... More info: https://developer.android.com/developer-verification https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answ... Personally...we all know the Play Store is chock full of malicious garbage, so the verification requirements there don't do jack to protect users. The way I see it, this is nothing but a power grab, a way…
To be honest, it almost makes me wonder if the issue here is not related to security at all. I am not being sarcastic. What I mean is, maybe the issue revolves around some of the issue MS had with github ( sanctions and KYC checks ).
Re: Google will allow only apps from verified developers to be installed on Android
#237This is the same direction that Microsoft is taking Windows. Smart App Control is already rolling out to some regions - no .exe will run without a code signing certificate. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/apps/develop/smart...
Code signing by pseudonymous key is different that requirement to cede personal data to central registry
Re: Google will allow only apps from verified developers to be installed on Android
#238This is the final nail in the coffin for personal computing
It's a blow, but this is over dramatic.
Re: Google will allow only apps from verified developers to be installed on Android
#239Makes sense why they had to get rid of the "don't be evil" motto. They've been on a roll. I've seen a lot of similar sentiment on this thread, but the reason I use Android is because it gives me more control than iOS by allowing full-on painless sideloading, and custom distributions like GrapheneOS. They're doing everything they can to turn themselves into a worse Apple. All of the downsides of Apple, but none of the…
> There's no reason a competitive Linux-based smartphone can't exist
There is; it's the "phone" part of "smartphone". Being a phone makes the device subject to a lot more requirements (for an obvious example, emergency dialing must always be available and work, and at the same time the phone must never accidentally dial the emergency number).
In my country, only cell phones certified by the government telecommunications agency (Anatel) can be imported, so I can't for instance go to the Jolla or PinePhone store and buy a Linux-based smartphone; if I tried, it would be sent back the moment the package entered the country. (See https://www.gov.br/anatel/pt-br/regulado/certificacao-de-pro... for details.)
Re: Google will allow only apps from verified developers to be installed on Android
#240Will this be what finally leads to the success of a fully open-source Android fork such as CalyxOS or GrapheneOS?
CalyxOS is already dead. GrapheneOS is the only hope.
https://calyxos.org/news/2025/08/01/a-letter-to-our-communit...