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Android Developer Verification

android-developers.googleblog.com

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Re: Android Developer Verification

#2

Post by bstsb »

from https://9to5google.com/2026/03/30/android-developer-verifier... -

> Starting in April, Android Developer Verifier will be installed on devices.

so they're rolling out a system app that will call home to check whether any sideloaded apps have been "verified" with the developer's government ID? and this process will happen regardless of whether the user has enabled the "advanced flow" in Developer settings?

Re: Android Developer Verification

#5

Post by andrepd »

I don't see a way out of this except government regulation. The EU has the most motivation to do it, as a huge economic bloc with a lot of motivation right now to become as independent from the US as possible.

I guess I can sort of manage to keep my head above water and keep buying secondhand phones which I unlock and install a supported version of LineageOS. But it's cumbersome, it gets more difficult and more restrictive every time. And I literally have a doctorate in computers for crying out loud! Is there any hope for Granny? For a kid? For >99% of people? Of course not.

This is so clearly a matter for government oversight: prevent abuse, monopolies, protect the citizen's safety, rights, welfare, etc. It's not reasonable to expect consumers to figure out if the meat they buy is tainted, just as it's not to figure out if their phone spies on them, manipulates information, or sells their data (especially when there's a duopoly). That's why we have laws and food inspectors, paid for by the public, working for the public. Same thing with digital rights.

Re: Android Developer Verification

#6

Post by birdsongs »

bstsb wrote: post #2

from https://9to5google.com/2026/03/30/android-developer-verifier... - > Starting in April, Android Developer Verifier will be installed on devices. so they're rolling out a system app that will call home to check whether any sideloaded apps have been "verified" with the developer's government ID? and this process will happen regardless of whether the user has enabled the "advanced flow" in Developer settings?

Good of a reason as any to go google-less on my Graphene pixel, I guess. But man it sucks, mostly for all the people who can't. I can manage my financials and 2FA from my laptop, that was my last real reason to have google play installed, but it's just a convenience. (I know it's mandatory for others.)

I wonder how that sys app will be handled in GrapheneOS's google play sandbox?

Re: Android Developer Verification

#7

Post by pzo »

andrepd wrote: post #5

I don't see a way out of this except government regulation. The EU has the most motivation to do it, as a huge economic bloc with a lot of motivation right now to become as independent from the US as possible. I guess I can sort of manage to keep my head above water and keep buying secondhand phones which I unlock and install a supported version of LineageOS. But it's cumbersome, it gets more difficult and more restr…

> I don't see a way out of this except government regulation.

IMHO governments are partially behind those initiatives so they are unlikely to regulate themself- reason in last few years they intensified work on Digital ID, Age Verification, Chat control, KYC, etc.

Re: Android Developer Verification

#9

Post by birdsongs »

stuaxo wrote: post #3

Sorry, but absolutely not. I stuck with Android for years as a dev as I once did Android apps and occasionally do tinker. This is my last Android phone and Jolla is my next phone.

I really want to like the concept of Jolla / a European mobile alternative but I see no reason why they're closed source SW in 2026. Open source everything, let the community help develop, and sell your hardware (and support/deals for B2B).

A single for-profit company owning the full HW and SW stack? My trust in companies lately is at a lifetime low. It just leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

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