আপনার ফোন আর আপনার থাকছে না।

135 দিন বাকি লকডাউন হতে

২০২৭* সাল থেকে গুগল আপনার অনুমতি ছাড়াই একটি সাইলেন্ট আপডেট পুশ করবে, যা সেই সব অ্যান্ড্রয়েড অ্যাপকে ব্লক করে দেবে যাদের ডেভেলপার গুগলের কাছে রেজিস্টার করেনি, তাদের কন্ট্রাক্টে সাইন করেনি, টাকা দেয়নি এবং নিজের সরকারি আইডি জমা দেয়নি।

বিশ্বের প্রতিটি অ্যাপ এবং ডিভাইসে এটি কার্যকর হবে, আর এর থেকে বের হওয়ার কোনো উপায় রাখা হয়নি।

গুগল কী করছে?

২০২৫ সালের আগস্টে গুগল একটি নতুন নিয়ম ঘোষণা করেছে ↗: ২০২৭ সাল থেকে, যেকোনো ডিভাইসে সফটওয়্যার ইন্সটল করার আগে প্রতিটি অ্যান্ড্রয়েড অ্যাপ ডেভেলপারকে গুগলের কাছে কেন্দ্রীয়ভাবে রেজিস্টার করতে হবে। শুধু প্লে-স্টোরের অ্যাপ নয়, সব অ্যাপের জন্য এটি প্রযোজ্য। এমনকি বন্ধুদের মধ্যে শেয়ার করা অ্যাপ, F-Droid ↗ এর মাধ্যমে ডিস্ট্রিবিউট করা অ্যাপ, বা শখের বসে নিজের ব্যবহারের জন্য বানানো অ্যাপও এর আওতাভুক্ত। ফলে শৌখিন ডেভেলপার, চার্চ বা কমিউনিটি গ্রুপ—সবাই তাদের সফটওয়্যার তৈরি ও ডিস্ট্রিবিউশন করার ক্ষমতা হারিয়ে ফেলবে।

রেজিস্ট্রেশনের জন্য যা যা লাগবে:

যদি কোনো ডেভেলপার এই নিয়ম না মানে, তবে তাদের অ্যাপগুলো সারা বিশ্বের প্রতিটি অ্যান্ড্রয়েড ডিভাইসে সাইলেন্টলি ব্লক করে দেওয়া হবে।

ক্ষতিগ্রস্ত হবে কারা?

আপনি নিজে

আপনি অ্যান্ড্রয়েড ফোন কিনেছিলেন কারণ গুগল বলেছিল এটি একটি 'ওপেন' প্ল্যাটফর্ম। আপনি যা খুশি ইন্সটল করতে পারতেন, এটাই ছিল শর্ত।

গুগল এখন সেই শর্ত পাল্টে দিচ্ছে আপনার কেনা হার্ডওয়্যারের ওপর। আপডেটটি আসার পর, আপনি কেবল গুগলের অনুমোদিত সফটওয়্যারই চালাতে পারবেন। আপনার ফোন: যেটা আপনার সম্পত্তি, যার জন্য টাকা আপনি দিয়েছেন।

স্বতন্ত্র ডেভেলপাররা

একজন কিশোরের বানানো প্রথম অ্যাপ হোক, কোনো ভলান্টিয়ারের বানানো প্রাইভেসী টুল হোক, কিংবা কোনো কোম্পানির গোপন ইন্টারনাল বেটা অ্যাপ—গুগলের অনুমতি ছাড়া ২০২৭ সালে এর কোনোটিই ইন্সটল করা যাবে না।

হাজার হাজার ফ্রি এবং ওপেন-সোর্স অ্যাপের ভাণ্ডার F-Droid ↗ একে একটি "অস্তিত্বের হুমকি" ↗ হিসেবে বর্ণনা করেছে। কোরি ডক্টরো একে বলছেন "ডার্থ অ্যান্ড্রয়েড" ↗

সরকার এবং সুশীল সমাজ

স্বৈরাচারী শাসকরা অ্যাপ সরিয়ে ফেলার দাবি জানালে গুগলের তা মেনে নেওয়ার প্রমাণিত রেকর্ড ↗ আছে। এই প্রোগ্রামের ফলে একটি দেশের গুরুত্বপূর্ণ প্রতিষ্ঠানগুলোর সফটওয়্যার চলবে কি না, তা নির্ভর করবে একটি জবাবদিহিহীন বিদেশি কর্পোরেশনের মর্জির ওপর।

EFF-এর মতে ↗ অ্যাপ গেটকিপিং হলো "ইন্টারনেট সেন্সরশিপের একটি ক্রমবর্ধমান পথ।"

গুগলের তথাকথিত 'এস্কেপ হ্যাচ' আসলে একটি ফাঁদ

গুগল বলছে যে "পাওয়ার ইউজাররা" চাইলে এখনো আনভেরিফাইড অ্যাপ "ইন্সটল করতে পারবে"। কিন্তু কাজটা আসলে কতটা কঠিন, দেখুন:

  1. সিস্টেম সেটিংসের গভীরে গিয়ে ডেভেলপার অপশন খুঁজুন
  2. ডেভেলপার মোড চালু করতে বিল্ড নাম্বারে সাতবার ট্যাপ করুন
  3. ভয় দেখানো সব ওয়ার্নিং স্ক্রিন এড়িয়ে যান
  4. আপনার পিন (PIN) দিন
  5. ডিভাইস রিস্টার্ট দিন
  6. ২৪ ঘণ্টা অপেক্ষা করুন
  7. আবার ফিরে এসে আরও ভয়ংকর সব স্ক্রিন বাতিল করুন
  8. অস্থায়ীভাবে অনুমতি দিন" (৭ দিন) অথবা "স্থায়ীভাবে অনুমতি দিন" অপশনটি বেছে নিন
  9. আপনি যে "ঝুঁকি" বুঝতে পারছেন তা আবারও নিশ্চিত করুন

নয়টি ধাপ। বাধ্যতামূলক ২৪ ঘণ্টার ওয়েটিং পিরিয়ড। শুধুমাত্র আপনার নিজের ডিভাইসে সফটওয়্যার ইন্সটল করার জন্য।

আরও খারাপ বিষয় হলো: এই পুরো প্রক্রিয়াটি চলে গুগল প্লে সার্ভিস (Google Play Services)-এর মাধ্যমে, অ্যান্ড্রয়েড ওএস (Android OS)-এর মাধ্যমে নয়। গুগল যেকোনো সময় ওএস (OS) আপডেট ছাড়াই আপনার অনুমতি ছাড়াই এটি পরিবর্তন করতে বা বন্ধ করে দিতে পারে। আজ পর্যন্ত এটি কোনো বেটা বা প্রিভিউ ভার্সনেও আসেনি; এটি কেবল একটি ব্লগ পোস্ট এবং কিছু নকশা হিসেবে টিকে আছে।

এটি কেবল অ্যান্ড্রয়েডের বিষয় নয়

গুগল যদি বিলিয়ন বিলিয়ন ডিভাইসকে এভাবে লকডাউন করে দিতে পারে যা আগে ওপেন হিসেবে বিক্রি হয়েছিল, তবে বিশ্বের প্রতিটি হার্ডওয়্যার নির্মাতা কোম্পানি সেদিকেই নজর দেবে।

এখানে যে মূলনীতিটি তৈরি হচ্ছে তা হলো: ডিভাইস নির্মাতা কোম্পানি আপনার কেনা জিনিসের ওপর সিদ্ধান্ত নেবে যে আপনি কোন সফটওয়্যার চালাতে পারবেন। সফটওয়্যারের ভাষায় একে বলা হয় "রাগ পুল" (Rug pull); কিন্তু আগে অন্তত আপনি বিকল্প সফটওয়্যার ইন্সটল করতে পারতেন। হার্ডওয়্যারের ক্ষেত্রে এটি আপনাকে ক্ষমতাহীন করে তুলবে এবং আপনাকে একজন জবাবদিহিহীন গেটকিপার ও দণ্ডিত একচেটিয়া ব্যবসায়ীর মর্জির ওপর ছেড়ে দেবে।

অ্যান্ড্রয়েডের উন্মুক্ততা কেবল একটি ফিচার ছিল না; এটি ছিল সেই প্রতিশ্রুতি যা একে আইফোন থেকে আলাদা করেছিল। লাখ লাখ মানুষ ঠিক এই কারণেই অ্যান্ড্রয়েড বেছে নিয়েছিলেন। গুগল এখন একতরফাভাবে সেই প্রতিশ্রুতি কেড়ে নিচ্ছে, কারণ তারা মনে করছে বাজারে তাদের একচেটিয়া আধিপত্য আছে এবং কেউ তাদের আটকাতে পারবে না।

Ars Technica-এর মতে ↗: "গুগলের অ্যাপল হওয়ার আকাঙ্ক্ষা অ্যান্ড্রয়েডের উন্মুক্ত ঐতিহ্যকে ধ্বংস করার হুমকি দিচ্ছে।"

কিন্তু দাঁড়ান, এটি কি...

"...নিরাপত্তার জন্য নয়?"

নিরাপত্তার দোহাই আসলে একটি ধোঁকাবাজি। গুগল প্লে প্রোটেক্ট (Google Play Protect) অলরেডি ম্যালওয়্যার স্ক্যান করতে পারে, তার জন্য ডেভেলপার রেজিস্ট্রেশনের প্রয়োজন নেই। সরকারি আইডি নিলেই কোড নিরাপদ হয় না; বরং এতে ডেভেলপারদের নিয়ন্ত্রণ করা সহজ হয়। ম্যালওয়্যার নির্মাতারাও রেজিস্টার করতে পারে, কিন্তু ছোট ডেভেলপার বা ভিন্নমতাবলম্বীরা প্রায়ই তা পারে না। EFF ↗ পরিষ্কারভাবে বলেছে: আইডেন্টিটি-ভিত্তিক গেটকিপিং হলো সেন্সরশিপের হাতিয়ার, নিরাপত্তার নয়।

"...অ্যাডভান্সড ফ্লো ব্যবহার করলে কি সাইডলোডিং করা যাবে না?"

নয়টি ধাপ, ২৪ ঘণ্টার অপেক্ষা, ডেভেলপার অপশনে লুকিয়ে রাখা এবং গুগলের ইচ্ছামতো বাতিলযোগ্য একটি সার্ভিস—একে সাইডলোডিং বলা যায় না। এটি একটি প্রতিরোধমূলক ব্যবস্থা যা তৈরি করা হয়েছে যাতে কেউ এই প্রক্রিয়া শেষ করতে না পারে। আর যেহেতু এটি প্লে সার্ভিসের মাধ্যমে চলে, গুগল যেকোনো সময় এটি আরও কঠিন বা বন্ধ করে দিতে পারে।

"...লুকানোর কিছু না থাকলে কি সমস্যা আছে?"

স্বৈরাচারী সরকারের অধীনে থাকা হুইসেলব্লোয়ার, সাংবাদিক এবং অ্যাক্টিভিস্টরাই হবেন এর প্রথম শিকার। এরপর ক্ষতিগ্রস্ত হবেন পারিবারিক সহিংসতার শিকার মানুষগুলো। এই সব গ্রুপের মানুষের গুগলের ডেটাবেজে নিজেদের আইনি পরিচয় না দিয়ে সফটওয়্যার ব্যবহার করার বৈধ কারণ আছে। বেনামে ওপেন-সোর্স অবদান রাখা গুগলের চেয়েও পুরনো একটি ঐতিহ্য। গুগলের এই নীতি অ্যান্ড্রয়েডে সেই ঐতিহ্যের ইতি টানবে।

"...অ্যাপল যা করে গুগলও কি তাই করছে না?"

অ্যাপল শুরু থেকেই একটি ক্লোজড সিস্টেম বা 'ওয়াল্ড গার্ডেন' ছিল। মানুষ অ্যান্ড্রয়েড বেছে নিয়েছিল কারণ এটি আলাদা ছিল। "অ্যাপলও এটা করে"—এই যুক্তি দিয়ে নিজেদের ভুল ঢাকতে চাওয়াটা একটা রেস টু দ্য বটম। তাছাড়া রেগুলেটরি চাপের কারণে (ইইউ-এর ডিজিটাল মার্কেটস অ্যাক্ট) এখন অ্যাপলও সিস্টেম ওপেন করতে বাধ্য হচ্ছে। অথচ গুগল ঠিক উল্টো পথে হাঁটছে।

"...মাত্র ২৫ ডলার আর কিছু কাগজপত্রই তো?"

হয়তো আপনার জন্য সহজ, যদি আপনি আমেরিকার ডেভেলপার হন যার ক্রেডিট কার্ড আর ড্রাইভিং লাইসেন্স আছে। কিন্তু সাব-সাহারান আফ্রিকার একজন ছাত্র, বা মিয়ানমারের একজন ভিন্নমতাবলম্বী, অথবা কমিউনিটি হেলথ অ্যাপ চালানো কোনো ভলান্টিয়ারের কথা ভাবুন। এর খরচ শুধু আর্থিক নয়: আপনি আপনার সরকারি আইডি এবং সাইনিং কী এমন একটি কোম্পানির হাতে তুলে দিচ্ছেন যারা অহরহ ↗ সরকারের কথা শুনে অ্যাপ সরিয়ে ফেলে এবং ডেভেলপারদের তথ্য ফাঁস করে দেয়।

প্রতিরোধ গড়ে তুলুন

সবার জন্য

ডেভেলপারদের জন্য

রেজিস্ট্রেশন করবেন না। অ্যান্ড্রয়েড ডেভেলপার কনসোলে সাইন-আপ করে গুগলের এই অন্যায় শর্তাবলীতে রাজি হবেন না। আপনার পরিচয় ভেরিফাই করবেন না। তাদের এই খেলায় পা দেবেন না।

গুগলের পরিকল্পনা কেবল তখনই সফল হবে যদি ডেভেলপাররা তা মেনে নেয়। তাই মানবেন না।

গুগল কর্মীদের জন্য

আপনি যদি এই প্রোগ্রামের কারিগরি বাস্তবায়ন বা অভ্যন্তরীণ উদ্দেশ্য সম্পর্কে কিছু জানেন, তবে একটি অফিসিয়াল নয় এমন কম্পিউটার এবং নন-জিমেইল অ্যাকাউন্ট থেকে tips@keepandroidopen.org-এ যোগাযোগ করুন। আপনার গোপনীয়তা রক্ষা করা হবে।

যারা বিপক্ষে দাঁড়িয়েছেন…

23টি দেশের 71টি সংস্থা সই করেছে এই খোলা চিঠিতে

European Digital Rights (EDRi) edri.org GNU/Linux València gnulinuxvalencia.org FULU Foundation fulu.org Associação Nacional para o Software Livre (ANSOL) ansol.org Privacy Guides privacyguides.org FACiL facil.qc.ca Osservatorio Nessuno OdV osservatorionessuno.org CryptPad cryptpad.org April april.org Obtainium obtainium.imranr.dev LineageOS lineageos.org Rocky Linux rockylinux.org Ghostery ghostery.com Fundación Karisma karisma.org.co Nextcloud nextcloud.com The Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE) fsfe.org Digital Rights Watch digitalrightswatch.org.au UnifiedPush unifiedpush.org GitHub Store github-store.org La Quadrature du Net laquadrature.net IzzyOnDroid izzyondroid.org MetaBrainz Foundation metabrainz.org Forbrukerrådet forbrukerradet.no Data Rights datarights.ngo Cryptee crypt.ee Molly molly.im /e/ Foundation e.foundation The Calyx Institute calyx.org epicenter.works – for digital rights epicenter.works Rossmann Group rossmanngroup.com OW2 ow2.org Vivaldi Technologies AS vivaldi.com Open Web Advocacy open-web-advocacy.org Italian Linux Society ils.org The Chaos Computer Club (CCC) ccc.de microG microg.org ARTICLE 19 article19.org Techlore techlore.tech KDE e.V. kde.org Codeberg e.V. codeberg.org The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) beuc.eu Software Freedom Conservancy sfconservancy.org XMPP Standards Foundation xmpp.org The Center for Digital Progress (D64) d-64.org The Free Software Foundation (FSF) fsf.org The OpenStreetMap Foundation (OSMF) osmfoundation.org Fastmail fastmail.com F-Droid f-droid.org GNOME Foundation gnome.org Brave brave.com Proton AG proton.me The Tor Project torproject.org Technopolice Bruxelles technopolice.be Fedimedia fedimedia.it FOSDEM fosdem.org The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) eff.org GrapheneOS Foundation grapheneos.org Digitale Gesellschaft digitale-gesellschaft.ch JMP.chat jmp.chat The Guardian Project guardianproject.info Software Liberty Association of Taiwan slat.org.tw iodé iode.tech FUTO futo.org AdGuard adguard.com VideoLAN videolan.org Open Rights Group (ORG) openrightsgroup.org Tuta Mail tuta.com The App Fair Project appfair.org The Digital Rights Foundation digitalrightsfoundation.pk Aurora Store auroraoss.com OpenMedia openmedia.org

পুরো চিঠিটি পড়ুন এবং সইকারীদের ধন্যবাদ জানান →

অন্যরা কী বলছেন

টেক মিডিয়া

"Google says it's making Android sideloading 'high-friction' to better warn users about potential risks"

XDA Developers

"Sideloading on Android? Soon It'll Be Like a TSA Check for Apps"

Android Headlines

"Keep Android Open – Abwehr gegen Verbot anonymer Apps von Google"

heise online

"Google will make you wait 24 hours to sideload Android apps"

How-To Geek

"Android app store provider Aptoide hits Google with fresh lawsuit alleging monopoly and anticompetitive chokehold"

Benzinga

"Google will verify Android developers distributing apps outside the Play store"

The Verge

"Sideloading is dead for all intents and purposes. The Android you know and love is slowly disappearing."

Android Police

"Google's Attack on Sideloading Will Rob Android of One of Its Best Features"

How-To Geek

"Open-Source Android Apps at Risk Under Google's New Decree"

TechRepublic

"Android's sideloading limits are its most anti-consumer move yet"

MakeUseOf

"Open letter warns mandatory registration 'threatens innovation, competition, privacy and user freedom'"

Infosecurity Magazine

"F-Droid project threatened by Google's new dev registration rules"

Bleeping Computer

"An 'existential' threat to alternative app stores"

The New Stack

"I've been an Android user for almost 15 years -- and Google's sideloading changes are pushing me back to iPhone"

Tom's Guide

"F-Droid says Google's new sideloading restrictions will kill the project"

Ars Technica

"Google will require developer verification to install Android apps, including sideloading"

9to5Google

"Google's New Developer ID Rule Could Harm F-Droid"

Reclaim The Net

"Google's new developer rules could threaten sideloading and F-Droid's future"

Gizmochina

"I've been an Android user for almost 15 years -- and Google's sideloading changes are pushing me back to iPhone"

Tom's Guide

"We all know that's a load of bullshit. Adding a goddamn 24-hour waiting period is batshit insanity."

Thom Holwerda, OSnews

"This will wipe out Android as an actual alternative to Apple's mobile OS offerings."

Hackaday

"Google's Android developer verification program draws pushback"

InfoWorld

"Google's Apple envy threatens to dismantle Android's open legacy"

Ars Technica

"Resistance to Google's Android verification grows among developers"

Techzine EU

"Google plans to block side-loading like Apple, declaring war on Android freedom"

Tuta Blog

"Keep Android Open"

Linux Magazine

"Google will require developer verification for Android apps outside the Play Store"

TechCrunch

"Google's developer registration 'decree' means the end for alternative app stores"

Cybernews

"Google kneecaps indie Android devs, forces them to register"

The Register

"'Keep Android Open' Movement Challenges Google's Developer Verification Rule"

Open Source For U

"Google's new ID requirements could destroy independent app stores"

TechSpot

"Google Clamps down On Android's Openness"

Internet Freedom Foundation (India)

"Google's New Developer Rules Threaten to End the F-Droid Open-Source App Store"

How-To Geek

"F-Droid Slams Google for Misleading Users About Android's App Verification"

Android Headlines

"It effectively makes the Play Store a monopoly without actually mandating that it is a monopoly."

I-Programmer

"Android, Epic, and What's Really Behind Google's 'Existential' Threat to F-Droid"

Slashdot

"F-Droid Says Google Is Lying About the Future of Sideloading on Android"

How-To Geek

"Open-Source Android Apps Threatened by Google's New Policy"

Datamation

"F-Droid Says Google Is Lying About the Future of Sideloading on Android"

How-To Geek

"Google is restricting one of Android's most important features, and users are outraged"

SlashGear

"Google's Attack on Sideloading Will Rob Android of One of Its Best Features"

How-To Geek

"Google's Requirement For All Android Developers To Register And Be Verified Threatens To Close Down Open Source App Store F-Droid"

Techdirt

"Android Security or Vendor Lock-In? Google's New Sideloading Rules Smell Fishy"

It's FOSS News

"Over 67 groups urge the company to drop ID checks for apps distributed outside Play"

The Register

"Sideloading on Android? Soon It'll Be Like a TSA Check for Apps"

Android Headlines

"Google's dev registration plan 'will end the F-Droid project'"

The Register

সম্পাদকীয় ও বিশ্লেষণ

সংস্থা ও খোলা চিঠি

"Independent software distribution on Android will now require Google's explicit permission."

AdGuard

"We are running out of time until Google becomes the gate-keeper of all users devices."

F-Droid

"Forcing software creators into a centralized registration scheme is as egregious as forcing writers and artists to register with a central authority."

F-Droid

"The European Pirate Party called for proportionate and transparent measures that ensure security without restricting innovation, limiting anonymity, or distorting competition."

European Pirate Party

"Google's abusive approach to the Android operating system has only gotten worse in recent years. Software freedom is sorely lacking in the 'computers in our pockets' we call cell phones."

Free Software Foundation

"This extends Google's gatekeeping authority beyond its own marketplace into distribution channels where it has no legitimate operational role."

Open letter, over 67 signatory organizations

"Centralised, intransparent security architectures certainly help secure monetization and the market by locking out competitors."

Nextcloud

"A policy that forces every Android developer to hand their identity to Google, regardless of whether they use Google's services, makes Android a less-open and less-private platform."

Brave

"Ultimately, Google's plan will stop you from owning your Android phone."

Tuta

"Google will cut off independent developers to Android if they do not register with Google first. This will kill independent platforms like F-Droid and severely impede FLOSS devs from creating apps for Android."

KDE

"When you set up a gate, you invite authorities to use it to block things they don't like. And when you build a database, you invite governments to try to get access."

Electronic Frontier Foundation

"Google Play itself has repeatedly hosted malware, proving that corporate gatekeeping doesn't guarantee user protection."

F-Droid

"MEP Christel Schaldemose formally questioned whether Google's mandatory central registration is compatible with the Digital Markets Act."

European Parliament

"There are governments who might very much like to know the names of the developers of those applications so that they can go after them."

Electronic Frontier Foundation

"This invasion of privacy of developers is not just an overreach of Google's authority over Android, but also jeopardizes developer safety."

Software Freedom Conservancy

"Unilaterally consolidating power to approve software into the hands of a single unaccountable corporation is a threat to digital sovereignty everywhere."

Nextcloud

"Verification just confirms who's behind the app, it doesn't guarantee clean code or rule out malicious behavior."

AdGuard

"Android's biggest strength has always been its openness. That's what attracted developers and users in the first place."

AdGuard

"This is a profound change, one that shatters the entire premise of the Android ecosystem, long regarded as the antithesis of the closed Apple ecosystem."

AdGuard

"While Android used to be praised for its freedom and independence, it will become a closed shop just like Apple."

Tuta

"If it were to be put into effect, the developer registration decree will end the F-Droid project and other free/open source app distribution sources as we know them today."

F-Droid

"Your Smartphone, Their Rules: How App Stores Enable Corporate-Government Censorship."

ACLU

"Developers who build privacy-first browsers, encrypted messaging apps, VPNs, Tor-based software or tools for journalists and activists would be required to upload government ID to Google. These developers are unlikely to trust Google and might stop developing for Android."

Brave

"A centralized global registration system for Android will inevitably chill this work. Those communities are likely to drop out of developing for Android altogether."

Electronic Frontier Foundation

"Remember: It's your phone, your data, your freedom. Don't let Google take it away."

Tuta

"Nearly 50 organizations published an open letter opposing what they characterize as a 'kill switch for the open ecosystem.'"

Tech-ish Kenya

"We unequivocally advise against signing up for this program, now or ever."

F-Droid Open Letter

"Google is turning Android into a walled garden monopoly. We must prevent it."

Osservatorio Nessuno

"Developers who choose not to use Google's services should not be forced to register with, and submit to the judgement of, Google."

Open letter, over 67 signatory organizations

"Google's developer verification policy creates a centralized database, controlled by a single corporation, containing the real-world identity of every person who writes software for Android."

Brave

"For developers building tools specifically designed to protect user privacy, being forced to surrender their own personal data as a precondition for distribution is deeply contradictory."

AdGuard

"Changes would impose barriers to entry for individual developers, small teams and volunteer projects by imposing fees, identity checks and terms that may not align with the principles of an open ecosystem."

Infosecurity Magazine

ইউটিউবার ও কনটেন্ট ক্রিয়েটর

"Follow the money. Google makes money when apps are downloaded from its store. Google has completely forgotten about its earlier company motto: Don't be evil."

Tuta Blog – Blog

"Google is removing the one key advantage Android has over iOS."

SomeOrdinaryGamers (Mutahar) – YouTube

"If I'm going to be trapped in a walled garden anyway, I'll take the one that's built properly."

fireborn – Blog

"Google keeps getting in as much trouble as Apple when Google is half evil and Apple is full evil. So there are probably people inside Google saying, 'Why not just go full evil?'"

Louis Rossmann – YouTube

"Google has been carefully watching from the sidelines to see what exactly it is that Apple can get away with."

Linus Sebastian, LMG Clips – YouTube

"This represents the last real safe place for free and open-source software in the entire mobile ecosystem. Once it's gone, it's gone. And we're going to spend the next decade trying to claw it back."

Techlore – YouTube

"That's not openness. That is control."

ChiefGyk3D – YouTube

"F-Droid is basically saying that the new Google developer registration process will likely kill the open-source app store entirely."

The Linux Experiment – YouTube

"The widely-circulated narrative that Google already backed down from this is false. They didn't, and that misunderstanding may be the most dangerous part of the story right now."

Techlore – YouTube

"Google already can disable malware that they find on your device. It's already a built-in feature. So what is developer registration actually adding here? Is it security or control? You decide."

Techlore – YouTube

"Google is setting a requirement that only they can fulfill, forcing developers to go through Google and killing off thousands of apps. Countless users stranded."

Techlore – YouTube

"When you download applications, you've simply installed an application. I don't want to use words like 'sideload.'"

SomeOrdinaryGamers (Mutahar) – YouTube

"Android has become what they set out to destroy."

Linus Sebastian, LMG Clips – YouTube

"Imagine Dell told you that you could no longer install any operating system other than Windows on your laptop. That's what Google is doing to your phone."

SomeOrdinaryGamers (Mutahar) – YouTube

"I have really no more strong reason to not recommend you all get iPhones, because this just is pretty much an iPhone with a Google logo on it at this point."

Techlore – YouTube

"Google isn't testing this in the US or Europe first. They're starting in countries like Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand. Why? Because these are massive growth markets where regulation is weaker. By the time regulators catch up, the damage will already be done."

ChiefGyk3D – YouTube

"The fact of the matter is, this is my device. I paid a lot of money for it. I should be able to do with it what I want."

Switched to Linux – YouTube

"I'm not using the word 'phone.' I'm using the word 'computer.' This has over 8 GB of RAM, a terabyte of storage. It's a computer. And I'm also not going to be using words like 'sideload.' When you download an exe file onto your Windows computer, you've installed an application. You haven't 'sideloaded' something."

Louis Rossmann – YouTube

"A world where two tech companies from the same city that dominate all of our mobile devices both require centralized developer registration is a world with one more lever for surveillance, one more checkpoint for censorship."

Techlore – YouTube

"Your device, their rules. The phone you bought and paid for is no longer really yours."

Tuta Blog – Blog

"This is an iPhone now. I didn't want to buy an iPhone. I use Android because it gives me freedom. If you are not going to give me freedom with my computer, then why would I buy your stuff anymore?"

Louis Rossmann – YouTube

"Every single time a company takes away your ability to do what you want with what you bought and paid for, every single time they twist a knife, we have to point it out."

Louis Rossmann – YouTube

"This means you can't sideload an app from an unofficial source. But it could also be used to lock the ecosystem so we're forced to install only Google apps on approved Google OS versions."

Rob Braxman Tech – Locals

"Google is doing to Android what Microsoft once tried to do to the web. Embrace, extend, extinguish. Just wrapped in a shinier open-source package."

ChiefGyk3D – YouTube

"Google decides what's safe for you, and you don't get a say."

fireborn – Blog

"Developers of privacy-focused tools and emulators will have to dox themselves, making them vulnerable to government agencies or legal action."

SomeOrdinaryGamers (Mutahar) – YouTube

ডেভেলপার ও কমিউনিটি

"Google selling Android as both open source and open to running any software you like in order to quickly gain market share, only to break those promises after driving competing platforms out of the market is nothing more than fraud."

GeekyBear, Hacker News

"All the banking and payment apps in India refuse to open if you have developer mode on."

nibbleyou (developer in India), Hacker News

"Give me liberty or give me Symbian."

masterofn001, Lemmy

"You have no right telling me what I can and cannot run on my own devices."

MrZander, Hacker News

"Can't come at a worse time. People are just learning to make things through vibe coding, and they're gonna want to put their own apps on their phones. And now Google says no."

Serinus, Lemmy

"They have stolen a free product and are now actively locking out the people who built it."

TheTearMiser, Lemmy

"Brazil government app refuses to operate with developer mode on."

flykespice (developer in Brazil), Hacker News

"They're boiling the frog -- slowly removing features until all choice is gone."

hn92726819, Hacker News

"After 15 years of professional development on Android I too am now thinking about switching my focus to something different. And it sucks."

MrDresden, Hacker News

"Google now has a flag on my phone they can control remotely to keep me from accessing the apps I want."

vala, Lemmy

"It is a disgrace how Google has managed this situation. The promised 'advanced flow' hasn't appeared in any Android 16 or 17 betas. Google is quietly proceeding with the original lockdown."

fermigier, Hacker News

"There's an entire genre of scamming where the scammers spend months building rapport with their victims before cashing out. One day is nothing."

free_bip (on the 24-hour wait defeating scammers), Hacker News

"I want to deploy apps on my device. They are my apps, it's my device, and I should not be required to ask for permission to do so."

fsniper, Hacker News

"Play store is full of scam apps, F-Droid isn't, but Play Store is considered secure. It's all theatre."

gcupc, Lobsters

"Computing is infrastructure. Personal computers are a means of expressing agency. This is like banning people from moving furniture around their house without approval from mortgage lenders."

wervenyt, Tildes

"Google's plan to require developer verification would give Google and governments the ability to ban any app."

Zak, Hacker News

"'Sideload' is like 'jaywalking'; seeks to stigmatize humans being human."

tejtm, Hacker News

"This isn't just a competition between app stores; it's a struggle for choice and dignity. Your phone shouldn't be a cage carefully constructed by others, but an extension of your own will."

renshijian, Hacker News

"Don't beg. Don't get in a position that freedoms depend on the whims of a corporation or willingness of a government to regulate them. Build."

jzb, Lobsters

"Modern life practically forces you to put all your eggs into a phone controlled by one of two profit-seeking companies."

koala, Lobsters

"It took them 17 years to finally pull the cage all the way shut."

Apocryphon, Hacker News

"I buy a device with my own money, which I supposedly then own, but then I need to ask some corporation permission to use it."

askonomm, Hacker News

"Software gatekeeping is a threat to human rights. Just recently an app to track ICE was banned from the iOS app store even though this should clearly be protected first amendment speech."

gthing, Reddit

"Years ago, I wondered how Google would try to get away with locking down Android and shutting the cage door after capturing such a large dependent user base. Now I see how they are trying to get away with it."

chaznabin, Reddit

"Android was never actually open and now they are abandoning even the thin pretense."

Tiraon, Tildes

"The open Android I knew and loved is long gone."

girvo, Hacker News

"Google's own Play Store had over 600 million malware downloads. They keep talking about 'security' but their own store is crawling with fake apps and straight up malware while actual useful stuff gets buried or rejected."

Historical-Employ129 (324 upvotes), Reddit

"Anyone else thinking this looks like a precursor to banning Signal and similar? 1) Put Google in control of what you can install. 2) Get Google to block it."

harry8, Hacker News

"This is a war on users that want to keep control of their phones and when it's done, you will not be able to escape the enshittification."

ikidd, Lemmy

"If Android's sandbox and permission systems actually worked, then the mere act of installing an app from an arbitrary source would be as harmless as visiting an arbitrary website."

mwcampbell, Lobsters

"I teach digital literacy and 99% of unsavory software I encounter on people's phones come from the Play Store or App Store. I will believe they're serious about protecting users when I see them do something about the crap ton of borderline scam apps infesting their stores."

1995ToyotaCorolla, Lemmy

"We need to start treating phones differently. We're entering a world where we can't choose what we run on them. Their primary purpose is to gather data on us and serve us advertising, they're engineered for addiction, yet engaging in the world is immensely difficult without one."

specproc, Hacker News

"Once deployed, there's a near 100% chance of such a mechanism being used for evil."

Zak, Lemmy

"My Pixel 6 just broke, and after 15 years of using Android, I've finally been convinced to move to iOS. If I must live in a walled garden, I suppose I'll choose the one with nicer flowers."

yonato, Hacker News

"Social engineering is destroyed with education, not with restriction and control. Trading freedom for safety eliminates both."

survirtual, Hacker News

"Google has no right to be my parent. As long as I can't reject paternalism, I don't believe for a second this is done with the well-being of scam victims as the main priority."

gspr, Lobsters

"If I go down this path, I will stop all development on Android. I implore all other developers to resist this. This will completely lock down the platform forever, there will be no going back."

BatteryMountain, Hacker News

"We are talking about something categorically worse than vendor lock-in: Collective vendor lock-in."

anordal, Lobsters

"Any time someone puts a lock on something that belongs to you, and won't give you a key, they're not doing it for your benefit."

vord (quoting Cory Doctorow), Tildes

"Whatever Google is doing kind of scares me. We have a big DIY community of diabetics in Germany running tools like AndroidAPS that cannot ever be distributed through official channels."

pimeys (Type 1 diabetic, DIY medical software), Lobsters

"I still remember how in the early days of Android vs iOS discussions, the main point was 'but it's OPEN!' The word 'open' was used as a comma by Google people. It was The Thing. The Difference. Good vs Evil and all that."

jwr, Hacker News

"The fundamental problem is that we are relying on the good graces of Google to keep Android open, despite the fact that it often runs contrary to their goals as a $4T for-profit behemoth. The 'don't be evil' days are very far behind us."

paxys, Hacker News

"Antitrust action is badly needed. It is ridiculous that I need permission from my device manufacturer to install software on hardware I own."

jim201, Hacker News

"The phrase 'sideload' is psychological propaganda we are all best off rejecting."

WaffleMonster, Slashdot

"Twice I have had to deal with Google silently disabling my drone app to the point I had to buy an older phone to perform work. When I purchase a device that works with another device, under no circumstances should I be at the mercy of any updates they make."

cbrophoto (drone professional), Reddit

"Google seems to actively hate people who develop for their platforms."

hbn, Hacker News

"Signal, VPNs -- they'll have a list of everyone opting out of government-mandated backdoors."

Max-P, Lemmy

"I hate this so much. More and more I get the feeling I have no control over the devices I own. My fear is that Windows will eventually follow. For security reasons of course. It's the path we're on now."

cheesyvoetjes, Reddit

"It's not cyclic. It's a ratchet and it gets tighter and tighter."

BenjaminRi, Lobsters

"Requiring a government ID to distribute software. Holy shit. If you are a kid and want to create a game for your friends, you better get that birth certificate ready!"

llitz, Reddit

"For 'security' -- always security with these assholes. They're just building the walls of the walled garden higher."

lynxy, Tildes

"Android is for everyone, provided they submit to Google exclusively."

gumby271, Hacker News

"Google wants the authority of a gatekeeper without the overhead of human accountability."

afferi300rina, Hacker News

"If your country is ever in the crosshairs of 'American interests' and bears the brunt of its sanctions, it is possible that you cannot install apps from your fellow citizens. Your own local government, bank, and store apps."

devsda, Hacker News

"Some time in the future, we will look back to this era and ask ourselves what went wrong."

BenjaminRi, Lobsters

"You are essentially a child to them. The difference is society has decided not to step in to protect you from your abusive parents."

globular-toast, Hacker News

"The war on General Purpose Computing is the death of innovation and a direct attack on digital freedom."

layfellow, Hacker News

"Making it harder makes it harder to treat ourselves. Software like AndroidAPS is unique. It's hard to find or very expensive and inferior in the proprietary market."

pimeys (diabetic user on life-critical medical software), Lobsters

"If the likes of Google, Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, and others have their way, you will not own your computer; those companies will effectively own your computers."

RUs1729, Slashdot

পিটিশন থেকে আসা মতামত

"The whole reason I use an Android based device is for the freedom that comes with the phone. If I wanted to be governed by my cellphone manufacturer I would use an iPhone. "

Zachary, change.org

"Google is shifting from openness and freedom toward a closed feudal system. This represents more than just a setback for software platforms; it is a step backward for human civilization. "

John, change.org

"What sets Android apart from other OS' is its open source. This move will make Android just like every other OS. There will be no point in using Android. We'll all take out business to some other OS. "

Evo, change.org

"#DOWNWITHGOOGLE "

Monty, change.org

"Google can not be allowed its voracious devouring of apps and data. Every move builds on its frightening monopoly, quashing any freedom and privacy. "

Kristi, change.org

"The thing about Android has always been that it is open, people should have the right to install whatever software they want on their phones. KEEP ANDROID OPEN!!! "

Sofia, change.org

"As a hobbyist and tinkerer I rely on sideloaded apps to manage my smart devices, maintain privacy and access key items on other devices. Many of these services that I have set up would be unavailable if this goes forward. What's more there is no foreseeable reason why one shouldn't be able to modify, edit and change their own devices as they see fit. Every other computer works in this manner and Android has been no different. Maintaining this freedom is a must going forward and has one of the primary draws to the ecosystem. Google's choice to stop sideloading is not fooling anyone, it's a method of control and siloing. I left Apple because of this, don't think I won't leave Android too. "

Matthew, change.org

"This OS has been the only place that has felt free, the ability to download anything from anywhere is what a phone should be able to do. They trying to take away my freedom, and I refuse to bend the knee and accept it. "

Austin, change.org

"let's go, ! Keep Android alive! "

jorge, change.org

"Installing mini apps I wrote on my own device is the only reason I chose Android smartphone over dumbphone plus micro laptop. "

Alexey, change.org

"Dawg how am i supposed to live without sideloaded apks "

Sean, change.org

"I 100 don't support this, it seems these companies really want to control us and our freedom. If you are frightened by identification theft or scared that someone in your life is not protected enough then teach them, so you can prevent accidents from happening. This isn't a way to go. "

Naba, change.org

"Hello, I have been using Android my whole life and I had always disliked IOS due to its highly locked down operating system and hearing that android (Google) wants to lock down android from 3rd party creators really hurts because not everyone can afford to publish an app onto the Google play store. also due to the fact android is the biggest OS worldwide many devices such as "Meta Quest" use android and they're store for applications would get shut down and cause many problems if they (Google) goes through with this plan. Especially as somebody who is soon to make and upload applications for Android this can be very limiting. Keep Android Open. Don't turn it into IOS. "

sqidwerd, change.org

"No kings, not even Google. We the people are largely on android instead of IOS because of its open ecosystem. Killing that kills one of your major reasons for existing. Continue and your can bid farewell to massive chunks of users when the decision of what new phone to choose comes around. "

Patrick, change.org

"Sim ao Android "

Cristina, change.org

"I want to be able to load any arbitrary APK onto my own phone. I should not be limited or made so suffer in any way because some bad actors take advantage of naive people who act irresponsibly. It is my choice to install my own software or F-Droid or anything. Taking that choice away means Android has no value to me as a product. "

Seamus, change.org

"If Google does this I will move to iOS. If given a choice for locked down mobile OS I feel safer with Apple. And the way the world is going with all the horrible AI etc.. and corporate control of our lives I will take the lesser of two evils. At least with Apple you can OPT out of Apple intelligence during setup with iPhone just like with Mac OS which I recently went to after MS's windows 11. I'm pretty pessimistic about this change and realize that I will likely be purchasing my first iPhone in the end of the year. "

Trent, change.org

"Hope all Android devices keep free on apk sideload and Bootloader unlock "

Hanzhang, change.org

"Every time you centralise something, you are adding a point of failure that used to not exist. And you can not trust those who care only for money to care for anything else. "

Andrew, change.org

"You either die being choice free and open for the people, or live long enough to change your values and become like Apple. Don't be disgusting. "

Daniel, change.org

"Help new developers earn an income and revolutionize our apps and games! "

João, change.org

"that's the only reason i actually use Android, this should not be an actual project of Google "

Theodore Thomas, change.org

"I do not trust the judgment of one company to decide what every person on Android is allowed to use on their phones. This is a censorship tactic, and will silence and punish small-time app developers who do not have the time or money to plead their case for the right to host their apps. "

Anna, change.org

"As someone who writes and uses my own APKs to make my device even more useful to me, this lockdown would be a deal breaker for my use of the Google Android platform "

Luke, change.org

"I find it frankly baffling how Google is trying to erase one of the selling points of their products because of their need to control Android even further. "

Theo, change.org

"That's bad google policity "

José, change.org

"If this happens, Android will ko longer be an open platform with options. Google and other OEMS that they work with will be the only ones who can dictate what your own personal device can run. This also completely halts hobbyist and low income development by cutting off an extremely accessible platform and imposing a fee (Which could very easily turn into an Apple style subscription later.). So, people will not be able to easily to learn, experiment, and practice with mobile app development. Only the very few with sufficient disposable money will be able to do it. "

Jeffrey, change.org

"Android has always stood for user choice. The freedom to install apps from outside an official store is a core part of what made the platform different and appealing in the first place. Removing options like sideloading moves Android away from its original philosophy. I develop apps for personal use, and I have no interest in becoming an “approved developer” just to run my own software. Not everyone has the time or desire to navigate additional gatekeeping just to maintain control over their own devices. Limiting these freedoms sets a concerning precedent. It shifts the platform toward tighter control, reduced openness, and potential monopolization. Android began as an open operating system — moving away from that foundation risks turning it into a closed ecosystem that mirrors the very model it once differentiated itself from. Restricting user choice under the banner of “protection” doesn’t benefit everyone. Many users value autonomy, flexibility, and control over their own hardware. Removing those options feels less like protection and more like limitation. "

Dennis, change.org

"Many of the apps I use for managing Type 1 diabetes require sideloading. If the hobbyist plan has any restrictions (which it most likely will), it could impact my personal health. We need full transparency about how this will work, or for this to be cancelled. "

1712, change.org

"Bro this is the only thing keeping android over iOS don't take it "

Alejandro, change.org

"We should have the right to use our devices how we want to, whether we install our apps from official sources or not. Google already by default blocks installation from outside sources unless you yourself allow it and warns you of potential dangers from installing 3rd party apps, we should continue to have the freedom to install what we want on our devices and choose to take a risk or not going outside of the Play store. "

Joshua, change.org

"Android should be a free platform, thats why it exists, taking this away is creating a monopoly that Apple has created and has also gotten in trouble for in the EU for consumer rights "

William, change.org

"This is the entire point of many people using Android in the first place, you take this away and something new will come along and replace you. "

Jacob, change.org

"As a certified Android glazer I think age verification is stupid and Android should stay open forever "

Anony, change.org

"In a time when a few big companies are controlling everything, having access to open source alternatives is more important than ever. We don't need more restrictions and less access. Right now you can come up with a great idea, create said idea, then share it with other android users. The only barriers are your own willingness to learn. But google is trying to destroy what makes android great! Don't let it happen. Sign the petition, make noise on social media, boycott if it comes to it. Don't let the people at the top continue taking away and restricting things we love and need. It can feel like they're untouchable. But they rely on us for that power and control. If enough people resist they will revert the planned changes. Because in the end we're the consumer and all they care about is "the numbers go up". They need us for that. "

Anthony, change.org

"Android having access to custom software is a main thing that separates it from iOS. Don't destroy this amazing feature. "

Henry, change.org

"My money goes to the people with a specific contract implicitly in mind. I own the device, and the manufacturer cedes control to me in totality. If google wishes to contiunue with this course of action, the monetary value of any android phone as a product drops to zero - I cannot own one in totality. I cannot purchase one in truth. I'm only thankful that Linux-based phones are now (more than ever) becoming a viable, if still niche choice. "

Benjamin, change.org

"Why did I even buy an android phone?? They think I went iOS to android for no reason? WE WANT IT OPEN! "

David, change.org

"As Student and Junior Developer, I find this petition quite concerning on security and privacy for web data, android is not only a platform, it is a framework, a constant transition of metadata across the WEB. Limitating actions on android, even in level 3 is limitating not only user-friendly policy's of privacy, but freedom on networking. I Highly Recommend Sharing this petition! "

Davi Cristopher, change.org

"These proposed restrictions by Google are a threat to personal digital autonomy and to app development. "

Daniel, change.org

"I've spent my entire youth and adult life trying my very best to curate tech that puts me in charge rather than some unaccountable corporation. Unfortunately not everyone has the luxury I do, and even my position is somewhat precarious. As a user of GrapheneOS, theoretically this change will not affect me directly, but that doesn't mean the ripples will not reach me. App developers are being hamstrung in such a way that I have no confidence whatsoever that these proposed changes to the Android ecosystem won't wind up killing useful and important apps that I use. Just using an unverified device is not enough, these changes must not go through. "

Ben, change.org

"As an app developer, the last time I sent google my address, they put it on their store page for anyone to see. It was not clear to me that they would do this and it happened without my clear consent. During this time, I was also receiving death threats. I felt unsafe and afraid, and Google's actions directly contributed to my lack of personal safety. I will never trust Google with my personal information again. I would rather just not support Android platform than compromise my privacy and safety. "

Skye, change.org

"hopefully this does not become one more avenue for freedom and expression that gets restricted by corprate over greed and government overreach. "

manz, change.org

"This is a grave mistake and disaster and a true display of tyrannical behavior meant to push away the rights of others under the usual suspect aka the old bs saying "to protect the children" or "to keep you safe" its all a lie and this is just another way for the 4th amendment in my country to lose even more of its value and harm other countries that dont gave as many rights as americans do. First it was collusion and social media tracking, then it was ads and personalizations, then came along biometric security such as face scan or fingerprints arent protected by 4th amendment like passwords are, then we had AI invasiveness and the loss of ownership and shifting to subscriptions and now here we are not knly can we not own digital things now we are to lose our last items the physical things we own now under control as well no longer owned but basically licensed to us as long as we arent deemed dissidants. I only can hope that if you dont change that maybe we have alternatives and keep the will to fight back. "

Avery, change.org

"As the market stands the whole point of having an Android device over an iPhone is that you have more freedom over your device. Android is secure. Any claim that this change is for security is a farce. Unwitting users are not downloading random malicious APKs and then clicking through warnings to install them. It just is a non-existent problem. This change is about Google seizing power for personal gain. It's remarkably short sighted and foolish. If they're going to get rid of developer and subsequently user freedom then there's no reason to stay with Android/Google. I don't like Apple, but they already do security and privacy better and are in all other ways comparable. Google has had no claim to any kind of morality for quite some time, but with this move they are now so greedy and so stupid that they're actively working against their own interests. "

Steven, change.org

"This does not protect anybody. All it does is restrict an OS that was supposed to be open. This was one of the main benefits of Android over iOS, and now it's being removed. This also kills the open source ecosystem, since alternative app stores cannot function if all developers are required to pay Google and pay a fee. Ordinary users are already protected from malware with Google Play Protect, and app sideloading disabled by default. This does not help anyone. Even calling it sideloading is misleading, since we own the device NOT Google. On a computer, this is called installing software. It shouldn't be different on a phone. This will also allow government censorship of apps that protect privacy. Overall a terrible idea. "

Daniel, change.org

"I want to own my android and not be censored. "

Analisse, change.org

"Dear Google, As a life-long Android user, the perspective of this program ever coming into place is simply devastating. The Android Project was built with the promise of open-source software, community-driven development and digital freedom at its core. This promise has been a vital part of its success, from its humble beginnings to the widely popular and prolific ecosystem we have today. Any measure that does not fully respect these core values is a direct threat to the Android Project as a whole and a betrayal of its community. I believe the "Android developer verification requirements" program as it stands is such a measure. Therefore, I urge everybody involved at Google to seriously reconsider this program to the benefit of the Android Project and its community. Sincerely- "

Yoann, change.org

"Forcing developers to pay fees and hand over identifying documentation will never be the solution to malware. It creates opportunities for censorship, removes one of the major reasons uses android over apple products. As a hobbyist developer, I do not wish to throw my identity left and right just to run my own app on my own phone that I have no intention of publishing. If I do, it would be open source for others to use and when the time comes that I wish to sell an app, sure I will register to the Google play store or any other store as needed. "

Christopher, change.org

"I moved from iOS to Android, to get back the freedom of using my phone according to my wishes. I have a lot of friends who did too. We all condemn this attempt by Google to enshittify Android. Protection and imposition are not the same. Google, don't be evil. "

Max, change.org

"I use android since I was aware of what is tech, nearly since android started as an OS, customizing every aspect of my phone I was capable to, breaking things, some of the things that make android being the sweet spot between being in complete freedom (what can be dangerous) and a kindergarten for cellphone users. In later years still using some good indie apps that the developers can't afford to put on google play, going back in app versions through public apk repos like apkmirror when something went wrong with the current version of an app, and more recently being a software developer. Today this is nothing but one more barrier to do native mobile apps (adding to resource intensive development tools, excessive boilerplate, steep learning curve, hardware and OS fragmentation, play store current policies, and many more) turning testing and feedback into a headache. I as a developer see a potential loss of talent that could enrich the ecosystem, a place where only startups and companies will survive (driven by capitalism) except for a minority of truly dedicated developers. I'm not a native English speaker however today I wanted my voice to be heard, doing it so in their language despite the misspelling I could make. I have hope for open source (especially indie); we mustn't forget that many of today's software foundations, including Android, originate from it. I hope they allow, and above all, facilitate the preservation of open source through the small innovations of more casual developers who improve the ecosystem day by day. "

Alexis, change.org

"I have used my own, or other developers' custom APKs in the past, and do not want to be locked into app store(s) only! "

Collin, change.org

"Removing the only reason to use Android... "

John, change.org

"Enough. Google blocking APK usage is an attack on user freedom, innovation, and fair competition. Blocking sideloading centralizes control, stifles small developers, and forces users into a gated ecosystem controlled by one corporate gatekeeper. We deserve the right to choose how we manage our devices, install software we trust, and support independent developers. Security can be improved without stripping choice — transparent warnings and user education. This is about digital sovereignty. Join our petition to demand that Google restore full, responsible APK access now. Defend openness, choice, and the future of a free app ecosystem. Sign now. "

Evela, change.org

"Enough is enough google! I am already swapping back over to iOS for more than a few reasons other than oh i dont know, YOUR OWN PHONES CATCHING FIRE ON MY BEDSIDE TABLE! As a developer, This makes it really hard to want to make an app cross-compatible with your OS! First you flatten the bugdroid, then you make unsafe phones, now this?! Sorry, but even I, a hardcore android fan am taking Apple's stance on this. "

Shibe, change.org

"This would mean there's no longer a reason to use android "

Chandrea, change.org

"This change would kill the biggest reason I use Android, because I have the freedom to sideload useful apps that aren't available in the official store. I have never once bought an iPhone, but Apple's comparative respect for user privacy seems preferable now, so I'll most likely make the switch. "

Raymond, change.org

"Google shouldn't be able to restrict something that made us purchase the phones in the first place! "

Yousef, change.org

"Closing off the ability for the average consumer to engage with their device on their terms is outright dystopian and also part of why so many younger people struggle with computer literacy. "

Joseph, change.org

"Just another horrible move from Big Tech companies to further control the rate of which Technology can advance. The only thing I enjoyed about Android - it being very open source and developer friendly - but now that it is being threatened, maybe I should start rallying towards buying ACTUAL Open-Sourced Tech instead of prioritizing capital gain instead of Technical Advancements. "

Aaron, change.org

"Google is an evil company. "

Cool, change.org

"Our phones, our choice!!! "

Robert, change.org

"I purchased an Android device just recently and had to send it back because I disliked how central to the user experience Google made itself on the new device. I could never see myself buying another Android if it gets worse than this, and Googles limits on APK file usage is definitely worse. "

Donna Grace, change.org

"Google’s decision to end sideloading isn’t about user safety, it’s about control. By banning the ability to install apps outside the Play Store, Google isn’t protecting us it’s protecting its profits. Sideloading is what keeps Android open. It’s what allows small, independent developers to create and share apps without paying Google’s gatekeeping fees or begging for corporate approval. It’s what lets users, creators, and innovators build their own digital spaces, free from monopolized ecosystems. Ending sideloading means the end of true user choice. It hands Google even more power over what software we can access, what tools we can use, and ultimately what voices can reach us. This move strengthens surveillance capitalism, deepens corporate monopolies, and pushes us closer to a future where our devices — and our data — belong to corporations, not people. This is about more than Android. It’s about who controls our technology, our privacy, and our freedom online. We cannot allow one of the wealthiest corporations in history to dictate how billions interact with their own devices under the guise of “security.” Sign this petition to demand that Google stop its plan to remove sideloading in 2026. Defend open-source values, user rights, and digital democracy. The internet should serve people, not profit. Together, we can stand up for an open Android and a free digital future for everyone. "

Cole, change.org

"this will kill the freedom that android provides and will make you lose a lot of customers you're gonna lose a ton of money from this stupid change "

Jimmy, change.org

"The whole reason I love android is due to openness and freedom, Google taking this away makes me mad because that's a staple point for Android gone. As a regular user, I use the F-Droid store, as well as finding apps directly on GitHub. "

Micheal, change.org

"The possibility of one of the only features that could jumpstart and maintain rising developers ambitions and the Android community; being able to install any files into their systems getting smothered is a nightmare for anyone who has been sticking to Android themselves due to its customization (I will protect my self-made Miku UI with my life). Going against the reasons of Android's strengths WILL be a bad idea and would force the people to find lower alternatives, whether they are better or not can't be gauged when this move destroys the baseline of a free and modifiable OS. Please listen to the community that is yelling to not aim at poor Bugdroid's shins... "

Ken, change.org

"dear android, you are doing what you did to unlimited photo storage and making it limited. i have been eyeing the linux cell phone ecosystem for awhile and hope that is my option if you decide to limit and cripple the ecosystem you helped build. i have been degoogling my services like photos, drive, gmail, and calendar. if you change for the worse, i will change for the better "

michael, change.org

"Android phones letting me control my apps in my way is why I love and stick with Android. I can't support upstart developers without our current APK framework. A future without one of the lead reasons I own an Android phone, is a future where I just stop owning a phone. "

Kyle, change.org

"FOSS IS WHAT BUILT ANDROID. THIS WILL HURT FOSS. "

Noah, change.org

"Your OS literally wouldn't exist without Linux. Stick to the "

Caleb, change.org

"Device freedom shluld not be limted and the whole appel of android is device freedom taking that away defeats the whole point terrible change hope this doesn't go through "

Logan, change.org

"Android is freedom. Plain and simple. Android let's us the users decide what we want to do with our devices. I have only ever used android because it is open and free. "

Drew, change.org

"We need independent devs and apps to maintain a viberant ecosystem in the face of modern stagnation. Plus people have the right to choose products that align with their own values and needs. "

m, change.org

"If you break android in this way, we will go elsewhere, and more code will be written, more avenues gone down and new ways to sidestep your control and ditch your software will emerge. You can't win, but you can lose. "

Daniel, change.org

"Keep Android Free and Open! Locking down Android isn't about safety it's about control and censorship! "

Donald, change.org

"The only reason I have a Samsung is because my VTuber software is an open-source APK, and I doubt Google will approve it then the restriction happens. "

Jesse, change.org

"The only reason I prefer Android over iOS is the freedom of sideloading apps. If you remove this feature, lots of users (including me) will no longer have a reason to use Android instead of iOS. Also, isn't Google Play Protect enough to protect users from malware? Besides, sideloading is disabled by default unless you manually enable it in settings. You can add warnings and scan APKs, but please don't block them entirely. "

IPVG, change.org

"Stop taking away our rights we bought the device we should be allowed sideload or (install) onto our devices without google stealing every ounce of data and our privacy. "

Michael, change.org

"My business uses and older app distributed via apk. It is no longer maintainable but works perfectly fine. It will be a huge hassle rebuilding the app just to comply with this new rule to be certified. "

Aaron, change.org

"The main reason I use Android products at all is for their modability. To require ID verification just invades the privacy of app developers and does absolutely nothing to protect Android users. At this point, what would make Android products any different from Apple? This is completely unacceptable; this will end up hurting more people than it does help. "

Elise, change.org

"Android was built on FOSS foundations and this anti-consumer move goes against the guiding tenants of the OS and Google's mission. No-one who uses Android wants to see Google pervert it into a second-rate apple. This move is a violation of consumer faith and a bad long-term business decision. Revert it in it's entirety before you loose the core attraction of your product. "

Tate, change.org

"Inaceitável "

Daniel, change.org

"Keep android app development open! "

Samuel, change.org

"Imagine not being able to install programs on your computer that don't go though Microsoft or Apple first. That is where this will go next if this type of practice is made normal/succeeded. "

Kyle, change.org

"Being open sourced and allowing users to have control over their own devices is what makes android beautiful. If you continue with this then you'll be no better than Apple. Allow devs, techies, power users and curious kids and adults to write their own programs and use them. Our phones! Our choice! You're going to damage yourself because it'll just let operating systems like Graphene explode and become more than what they are now "

Sean, change.org

"I use Android phones rather than iphones because it allows for more user end control, including the ability to use/install open-source apk. If the choice is made to restrict this functionality, my next phone will not be an android. "

Rebecca, change.org

"Android giving users choice has been the staple point of android OS. Removing choices like sideloading apps is not the move. I develop apps for myself, I do not want to be "an approved developer" I don't have time nor care for that. This action also is the beginning of censorship, and monopolization of android OS. Android started as an open operating system, you have simply turned it into a reskinned Apple OS. Your choice to go anti-consumer is going to hurt. You are not "protecting" anyone. ~Seth "

Nathan, change.org

"By implementing mandatory developer registration in September 2026, Google is fundamentally betraying the core promise of Android as an open ecosystem. This shift towards a restrictive, gatekeeper model breaks user trust, kills anonymous innovation, and signals that Android is no longer about user freedom, but rather total corporate control. This is the end of the open platform I chose to support. I urge Google to reverse course it is not too late. The path we are heading on is a very dark one . If you carr only about money you should consider how much money you will lose from this.. I will be leaving Googles ecosystem entirely from chrome, to gemini, to android . I Have been with Google since the beta invites of Gmail but this direction I cannot support and WILL not. Apple would be smart to take advantage of this and capture a gigantic portion of your marketshare. I know I will be using my iphone instead of my s25 ultra. "Don't be evil" - Google But even step you have taken is from greed and control. Which is evil. You have betrayed the very people who made you who you are. "

Michael, change.org

"I am genuinely angry about what Google is trying to do by limiting APK usage. This is not some tiny background tweak. This cuts straight into the reason many of us chose Android in the first place. Android meant freedom. It meant I could install what I wanted. It meant developers could share their work without kneeling before a single approval system. It meant that when I bought my phone, it was actually mine. We keep hearing that this is about “security.” And yes, security matters. Nobody wants malware. But there is a real difference between protecting users and controlling them. Give people warnings. Give them tools. Educate them. Do not take away their ability to choose. I am an adult, fully willing and capable of deciding what I install on my own device. When APK usage is restricted, everything narrows. Developers get pushed into one official channel. One review process. One company deciding what is acceptable and what is not. That kind of centralized control should make all of us uncomfortable. It changes the balance of power, and it does it under the soft language of safety and convenience. This is about ownership. If I cannot freely install apps, do I truly own my device? Or am I just using it within boundaries that can shift whenever it best suits a corporation? I hardly think it is extreme to say that when I pay for hardware, I should have complete control over what runs on it. That is not radical. That is basic digital autonomy. And I am not okay with watching that autonomy slowly disappear without saying something. "

Brooke, change.org

"Sideloading is only reason I use an Android phone. You will lose many users because of this decision. "

Niall, change.org

"Time to summon Nokia to make Google show some respect bruh "

Rafael, change.org

"The thing that separates an android from an iPhone is the ability to do whatever if they pass this this would kill what it's like to have an android "

Devawn, change.org

"I never liked Apple's highly restrictive service for their app and mobile OS. I chose Android because of the freedom of customizability and choice, and ease of access. Do not make Android a wasteland, Google. People who use andriod value privacy and security, while also easily being able to make it better without worrying about who has what information about them. Please, think about the consequences for once. "

Maygen, change.org

"Sideloading is not a term. It is called installing. Do not take our choices away. Isn't America proud of their freedom, so don't take ours freedom away. Our device, our decisions "

Quoc Huy, change.org

"Please reconsider this decision. Android has always been about freedom and open source. Being able to support small developers and having choices to sideload apps is integral to Android's success. "

Jay, change.org

"People originally went to Android way back in 2008 because of the open source nature of Android. It's what still attracts so many people to use Android. It's what keeps people on Android. Google owes so much to the open source community, from app developers to OS developers like the CyanogenMod/LineageOS teams, the CalyxOS team, and the DivestOS team among others all the way to the people who have used XDA's forums since the days of the HTC Dream. I realize Google wants to go into the 3rd stage of "Embrace, Enhance, Extinguish" but that will drive more people to Linux phones. "

Draken, change.org

"Apple is one of the lamest companies in the world. You have no control on an iPhone. That's always been one of the selling points about Android is that you have basically total control over your device. There's literally no reason to change being able to download independent and open source apps from trusted developers. There are higher chances of getting a sketchy app through the play store. Don't break what isn't broken and then say you fixed something. We already lost our SD card slots. If you see this and you haven't signed the petition, please sign it. Also for more info, go here: https://keepandroidopen.org/ "

Dakota, change.org

"Android has always been about freedom and customization. Let's keep it that way "

Jacob, change.org

"I bought this device. Keep your ransomware/malware away from MY device, Google. "

Zach, change.org

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