Telefoni yt është duke pushuar së qeni yt.

135 ditë deri në bllokim

Duke filluar nga viti 2027*, një përditësim i heshtur, i shtyrë nga Google pa pëlqimin tënd, do të bllokojë çdo aplikacion Android që zhvilluesi i tij nuk është regjistruar pranë Google, nuk ka nënshkruar kontratën e tyre, nuk ka paguar dhe nuk ka dorëzuar dokument identifikimi qeveritar.

Çdo aplikacion dhe çdo pajisje, në mbarë botën, pa mundësi zgjedhjeje.

Çfarë po bën Google

Në gusht 2025, Google njoftoi një kërkesë të re: duke filluar nga viti 2027, çdo zhvillues aplikacionesh Android duhet të regjistrohet qendroisht pranë Google para se softueri i tyre të mund të instalohet në çdo pajisje. Jo vetëm aplikacionet e Play Store: të gjitha aplikacionet. Kjo përfshin aplikacionet e ndara mes miqsh, të shpërndara përmes F-Droid, të ndërtuara nga amatorë për përdorim personal. Zhvilluesit e pavarur, grupet fetare dhe komunitare, dhe amatorët do të jenë të gjithë të përjashtuar nga mundësia për të zhvilluar dhe shpërndarë softuerin e tyre.

Regjistrimi kërkon:

Nëse një zhvillues nuk pajtohet, aplikacionet e tij bllokohen heshtazi në çdo pajisje Android në mbarë botën.

Kush dëmtohet prej kësaj

Ti

Ti bleve një telefon Android sepse Google të tha se ishte i hapur. Mund të instalonie çfarë doje, dhe kjo ishte marrëveshja.

Google po rishkruan këtë marrëveshje, me efekt retroaktiv, në pajisje që tashmë i zotëron. Pas instalimit të përditësimit, mund të ekzekutosh vetëm softuer që Google ka miratuar paraprakisht. Në telefonin tënd: pronë jote, që ti pagove për të.

Zhvilluesit e pavarur

Aplikacioni i parë i një adoleshenti, një mjet privatësie i një vullnetari, ose një beta e brendshme konfidenciale e një kompanie. Nuk ka rëndësi. Në vitin 2027, asnjëra nga këto nuk mund të instalohet pa bekimin e Google.

F-Droid, shtëpia e mijëra aplikacioneve falas dhe me burim të hapur për Android, e ka quajtur këtë një kërcënim "ekzistencial". Cory Doctorow e quan "Darth Android".

Qeveritë dhe shoqëria civile

Google ka një historik të dokumentuar të pajtimit kur regjimet autoritare kërkojnë heqjen e aplikacioneve. Me këtë program, softueri që ekzekuton institucionet e vendit tënd do të ekzistojë me lejen e një korporate të vetme të jashtme dhe të papërgjegjshme.

EFF thotë se ruajtja e portave të aplikacioneve është "rruga gjithnjë e zgjeruese e censurës në internet".

"Porta e emergjencës" e Google-it është një kurth

Google thotë se "përdoruesit e avancuar" munden ende të "instalojnë" aplikacionet e pavërtetuara. Ja se si duket me të vërtetë kjo:

  1. Hyr në Cilësimet e Sistemit, gjej Opsionet e Zhvilluesit
  2. Trokite numrin e ndërtimit shtatë herë për të aktivizuar Modalitetin e Zhvilluesit
  3. Largo ekranet e frikësueshme për detyrim
  4. Vendos PIN-in tënd
  5. Rinis pajisjen
  6. Pritni 24 orë
  7. Kthehu, largo më shumë ekrane frikësuese
  8. Zgjidh "lejo përkohësisht" (7 ditë) ose "lejo pa kufizime"
  9. Konfirmo, përsëri, se kupton "rreziqet"

Nëntë hapa. Një periudhë detyruese prej 24 orësh pritjeje. Për të instaluar softuer në një pajisje që ti zotëron.

Më keq akoma: kjo rrugë ekzekutohet plotësisht përmes Google Play Services, jo përmes sistemit operativ Android. Google mund ta ndryshojë, ta ngushtojë ose ta heqë atë në çdo kohë, pa kërkuar përditësim të sistemit operativ dhe pa nevojë për pëlqim. Dhe deri më sot, nuk është dërguar në asnjë version beta, paraprak ose eksperimental. Ekziston vetëm si një postim blogu dhe disa modele.

Kjo është më e madhe se Android

Nëse Google mund të bllokojë retroaktivisht miliarda pajisje që u shitën si platforma të hapura, çdo prodhues pajisjesh në planet po e vëzhgon.

Parimi që po vendoset: kompania që prodhoi pajisjen tënde ka të drejtë të vendosë, pasi e ke blerë, se çfarë softueri të lejohet të ekzekutosh. Në softuer, kjo quhet "tërheqje e qilimave"; por së paku gjithmonë mund të instalosh softuer konkurrues. Në harduer, është një fait accompli që të heq agjencinë tënde dhe të bën të pafuqishëm ndaj dëshirave të një mbikëqyrësi të vetëm të papërgjegjshëm dhe monopolist të dënuar.

Hapja e Android nuk ka qenë kurrë thjesht një karakteristikë. Ishte premtimi që e dallonte atë nga iPhone. Miliona zgjodhën Android për këtë arsye të saktë. Google po e anulon këtë premtim njëanshëm, në pajisje që tashmë janë në xhepat e njerëzve, sepse ka vendosur se ka mjaftueshëm dominim tregu dhe kapje rregullative për t'ia dalë mbanë.

Ars Technica: "Smira e Google për Apple kërcënon të shkatërrojë trashëgiminë e hapur të Android."

Por prit, a nuk është kjo...

"...thjesht për sigurinë?"

Arsyetimi i sigurisë është një perde tymi. Google Play Protect tashmë skanon për malware pavarësisht identitetit të zhvilluesit. Kërkesa për një dokument identifikimi qeveritar nuk e bën kodin më të sigurt. E bën zhvilluesit të identifikueshëm dhe të kontrollueshëm. Autorët e malware mund të regjistrohen. Zhvilluesit e pavarur dhe disidentët shpesh nuk munden. EFF është i qartë: ruajtja e portave bazuar në identitet është një mjet censurë, jo një mjet sigurie.

"...ende mund të instalosh jashtë nëse përdor rrjedhën e avancuar?"

Nëntë hapa, pritje 24 orëshe, fshehur në Opsionet e Zhvilluesit, të dhënë përmes një shërbimi pronësor që Google mund ta heqë kurdo që dëshiron. Kjo nuk është instalim jashtë. Kjo është një mekanizëm frikësimi i ndërtuar për të siguruar që pothuajse askush nuk e plotëson. Dhe pasi ekzekutohet përmes Play Services dhe jo përmes sistemit operativ, Google mund ta ngushtojë ose ta heqë atë heshtazi.

"...vetëm një problem nëse ke diçka për të fshehur?"

Sinjaletuesit, gazetarët dhe aktivistët nën regjime autoritare do të jenë viktimat e para. Njerëzit në situata dhune në familje janë të tjetër. Të gjitha këto grupe kanë arsye legjitime për të shpërndarë ose përdorur softuer pa vënë identitetin e tyre ligjor në një bazë të dhënash të Google. Kontributi anonim me burim të hapur është një traditë më e vjetër se vetë Google. Kjo politikë e mbyll atë në Android.

"...e njëjta gjë që bën Apple?"

Apple ka qenë një kopsht i rrethuar që nga dita e parë. Njerëzit zgjodhën Android sepse ishte ndryshe. "Edhe Apple e bën" është një garë drejt fundit dhe një argument i dobët tu quoque. Dhe nën presion rregullator (Akti i Tregjeve Dixhitale të BE-së), edhe Apple po detyrohet të hapet. Google po lëviz në drejtimin e kundërt: duke u përpjekur të forcojë më tej statusin e tij si mbikëqyrës portash.

"...vetëm 25 dollarë dhe pak letër punë?"

Ndoshta, nëse jeni një zhvillues në SHBA me një kartë krediti dhe një patentë shoferi. Provoni të jeni një student në Afrikën Subsahariane, ose një disident në Mianmar, ose një vullnetar që mirëmban një aplikacion shëndetësor komunitar. Kosta nuk është vetëm financiare: ju jeni duke dorëzuar dokument identifikimi dhe provë të çelësave tuaj të nënshkrimit një kompanie që rutinisht pajtohet me kërkesat e qeverive për të hequr aplikacione dhe ekspozuar zhvilluesit.

Luftoni kundër

Të gjithë

Zhvilluesit

Mos u regjistroni. Mos i bashkoni programit duke u regjistruar në Android Developer Console dhe pranuar Kushtet e tyre të parrrevokueshme. Mos verifikoni identitetin tuaj. Mos luani me rregullat e tyre.

Plani i Google funksionon vetëm nëse zhvilluesit pajtohen. Mos pajtoheni.

Punonjësit e Google

Nëse dini diçka për zbatimin teknik të programit ose arsyen e brendshme, kontaktoni tips@keepandroidopen.org nga një makinë jopune dhe një llogari jo-Gmail. Garanci absolute për konfidencialitetin.

All those opposed…

71 organizations from 23 countries have signed the open letter

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

Read the full open letter and thank the signatories →

Çfarë po thonë

Shtypi teknologjik

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

TechRepublic

"Google Clamps down On Android's Openness"

Internet Freedom Foundation (India)

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

The Register

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

How-To Geek

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

SlashGear

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

I-Programmer

"An 'existential' threat to alternative app stores"

The New Stack

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

Tuta Blog

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

Bleeping Computer

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

Ars Technica

"Google's Android developer verification program draws pushback"

InfoWorld

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

Ars Technica

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

Android Headlines

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

Datamation

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

Cybernews

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

Tom's Guide

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

Techzine EU

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

Thom Holwerda, OSnews

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

Techdirt

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

heise online

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

9to5Google

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

Infosecurity Magazine

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

XDA Developers

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

How-To Geek

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

The Register

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

Slashdot

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

The Register

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

Gizmochina

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

How-To Geek

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

Android Police

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

How-To Geek

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

Android Headlines

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

TechSpot

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

It's FOSS News

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

Tom's Guide

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

Reclaim The Net

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

Open Source For U

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

The Verge

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

Android Headlines

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

Hackaday

"Keep Android Open"

Linux Magazine

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

TechCrunch

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

MakeUseOf

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

How-To Geek

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

How-To Geek

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

Benzinga

Editoriale dhe analiza

Organizatat dhe letrat e hapura

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

F-Droid

"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

"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

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

AdGuard

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

AdGuard

"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

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

Tuta

"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

"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

"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

"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

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

Osservatorio Nessuno

"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

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

AdGuard

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

European Parliament

"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 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

"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

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

Tech-ish Kenya

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

European Pirate Party

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

F-Droid

"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

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

F-Droid

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

ACLU

"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

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

Nextcloud

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

Tuta

"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

"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

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

F-Droid Open Letter

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

Nextcloud

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

Tuta

YouTuber-ët dhe krijuesit

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

fireborn – Blog

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

Tuta Blog – Blog

"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 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

"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

"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

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

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

"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

"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

"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

"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

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

SomeOrdinaryGamers (Mutahar) – 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

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

fireborn – Blog

"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

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

Linus Sebastian, LMG Clips – 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

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

Linus Sebastian, LMG Clips – YouTube

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

SomeOrdinaryGamers (Mutahar) – YouTube

"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

"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

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

SomeOrdinaryGamers (Mutahar) – YouTube

"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

Zhvilluesit dhe komuniteti

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

hbn, Hacker News

"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

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

nibbleyou (developer in India), Hacker News

"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

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

BenjaminRi, Lobsters

"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

"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

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

vala, 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

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

MrZander, Hacker News

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

BenjaminRi, Lobsters

"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

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

hn92726819, Hacker News

"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

"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

"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

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

Tiraon, Tildes

"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

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

survirtual, Hacker News

"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

"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

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

TheTearMiser, Lemmy

"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

"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

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

flykespice (developer in Brazil), Hacker News

"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

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

koala, 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

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

lynxy, Tildes

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

Max-P, Lemmy

"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 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

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

gcupc, Lobsters

"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

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

afferi300rina, Hacker News

"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

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

gumby271, Hacker News

"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

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

Zak, Lemmy

"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 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

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

WaffleMonster, Slashdot

"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

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

tejtm, Hacker News

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

anordal, Lobsters

"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

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

layfellow, Hacker News

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

Apocryphon, 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

"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

"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

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

Zak, Hacker News

"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

"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

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

girvo, 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

"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

"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

"Give me liberty or give me Symbian."

masterofn001, Lemmy

Zërat nga peticioni

"This is absurd and down right offensive that Google ever thought the thought that contradicts the core ideals for the Android OS! An android device that's no longer open might as well be Apple 2.0. In saying that, it will turn away not only the tech savy users in completion by 100% of them looking for another OS but in turn having the user who wants to express themselves in their Android device... If we wanted a closed source environment we'd conform with the rest of the world who knows nothing else but how to have the "hive mind" think for them and buy an apple. They do it, have done it and will continue to do it the best. Which, tbh, is ok!! Let them have their space in that of the most boring OS, app store, etc... If Google follows suit and actually closes up Android, clearly it will not kill the giant that Google purchased but it will turn away hundreds of millions of users to that "boring side" as in comparison, it makes NO SENSE for one to keep an Android over an iPhone when iPhone already has side loading and other exploitations to help us at the very least feel like we have some sort of control while going with the leading IP of closed OSs.... Android and closed should never be in the same sentence and I can guarantee when it happens Google will see lows they've never experienced in recent years nor could have predicted. However if the corporate overlords didn't think a backlash would occur when Google, likely the most predatory tech company in terms of their business practices who already enables the largest black market empire in that of call centers and scammers across the world to operate by selling our data to them and pushing their ads to the top of its results for the right amount of money. Who tf you think is gonna want to use a phone backed by said company when it's closing it's OS and changing it's TOS to basically "we can see and use everything on your screen for whatever purposes we please?? Literally the largest data broker in THE UNIVERSE???? YEA RIGHT, WE'RE NOT FOOL GOOGLE, WE'RE THE PHONE USERS WHO ACTUALLY KNOW HOW TO THINK FOR OURSELVES, Y'ALL FORGET THIS POINT?? "

Steven, change.org

"Android promised us a choice. We shouldn't let them take it away from users and developers alike just to have more control. "

Cross, change.org

"The freedom on Android is the best and that is exactly why we choose android. Please do not close off our experience on this platform. "

yer, change.org

"This would be removing a key benefit of android over apple. Having control over what is on your device should be a given to owning it as your personal property, and Google shouldn't have a say in what is and isn't allowed on your phone in any circumstance "

Ethan, change.org

"Keep android free. "

Jansen, change.org

"The ability to install APKs are a core feature in Android's open nature. It also helps developers to freely test and debug their apps. Installing APKs should be completely free and allowed. Thanks to everyone who made me see this project. Do you want me to draw this as a support material? Thanks. "

Emir, change.org

"first off i bought this phone i should have the right to put what ever program i want on it, I'm already upset so many things are locked behind root access my wife is a programmer and she fiddles with android programs. this would mean she can't do this anymore. it makes it a lot harder for indie android programmers to get started "

Joshua, change.org

"To move forward with the developer verification process is both anticompetitive and counter intuitive. Google stands to lose it's only incentive to attract users and developers. To build from a foundation of open source/free software to this is simple greed. Without such foundations Android wouldn't exist today, nor would modern technology. This process will simply hurt consumers, developers, and Google as a company. It will bring forth a new competitor who cares about digital freedom and open source software. Please reconsider. Don't be evil. "

Davy, change.org

"Open APK usage is literally the only reason I switched to Android in the first place "

John, change.org

"Please STOP being evil Google-u promised it once but obviously those words were hollow & meaningless so just stop it. "

Steven, change.org

"It's like Google looked at the Microsoft debacle (hello! Linux!) that's currently going on and said wait..hold my beer... Not as easy to change from Google Android like Windows to Linux but it can be done! Already have proton emails so the ball is rolling! If this goes thru I will definitely find alternatives. And instead of using a mix of Google Play store apps and gmail and FOSS as of now, I'll just stick to FOSS and stick with proton email as the primary and go the way of degoogled or possibly apple. Or even go with a cheap flip phone and just forget about using any apps at all! see your already helping me curb the addiction you created by these smart phones and with the physical media resurgence this could kind of go with the whole theme so to speak. Thanks for the ideas Google! I've gotten into the habit of changing and finding alternatives in the last ten plus years to everything. This would not be any different. Know your place and keep your promises Google. Or to quote a couple of your slogans. "Don't be evil" and "Do the right thing" "

Marvin, change.org

"I use multiple open-source side loaded apps. 60% or more of my time on my phone is using these side-loaded apps. I rather get rid of google than get rid of these apps. "

Yuntin, change.org

"The only thing that set Android apart from Apple (and frankly made it objectively better than Apple) is the freedom of control you have over a device you actually own. Removing that ability makes Android no better than Apple, might as well say you don't really own that phone or tablet when you take away such freedoms. "

George, change.org

"One of the main reasons I use Android is the ability to sideload applications—downloading APKs from trusted third-party developers. Now Google wants to limit that? Please don’t leave Android alone and don't take away the freedom it was built on. "

Suyaib, change.org

"The only reason I use Android since 2012 is for the freedom it gives over iphones and the ability to install what I want. Fine to give a warning (they already do) but blocking this is unacceptable and against what Android has always stood for. "

Allen, change.org

"The entire selling point of Android was the open ecosystem. Locking down on APKs will alienate millions of users. "

G, change.org

"Keep android open "

Charlotte, change.org

"My name is Lawrence Wider Jr. I am a huge fan of Android. The ability flawlessly download the individuals files (APKs) of smartphone apps on my smartphone is the reason why I decided to choose Android as my first ever smartphone OS to use over iOS a couple of decades ago. In short, it was Freedom Of Choice that caused me to choose Android over IOS decades ago. If Google decides to go through with their plan to limit APK usage this September, then I will no longer have that awesome choice and I will no longer be able to choose the awesome smartphone OS known as Android as my smartphone os. The ability to flawlessly download the individuals files (APKs) of smartphone apps on my smartphone had also caused Android to be a fun smartphone OS for me to use. Another advantage of the ability for me to download individual files (APKs) of APKs on my Android smartphone has given me is the ability for it to be easier for me to use Android. If Google decides to limit APK file usage this September, then it would cause me to no longer choose Android as my smartphone is to use. Thank you. "

Lawrence, change.org

"Don't be Apple! "

Wenshan, change.org

"This is an absolutely ridiculous move on their part. Nothing but censorship and control these past several months. They'll all burn for it. "

Jeffrey, change.org

"The change to requiring app verification through a wireless, centralized service, instead of a feature of the OS, is a change that is inconvenient at best, and threatens the portable device market as it currently stands at worst. By making this change, Google is further revoking the customization and autonomy (or what is left of it on most carrier phones) that not only drives many users to get Android in the first place, but is a reminder of what makes computers so wonderful, in my opinion; the ability for every one to customize, and hack their own device to be perfectly their own. This wonderful thing is a basic function of any "free" computing platform that should not be revoked, but increasingly, it has. Please, Google, do not take this direction, and shut off the venue of customization that allows people to use their devices the way they want to, and has lit the torch for many future software developers and computer scientists. "

Zacario, change.org

"We installed Android and became developers in good faith, that it was open and not locked/controlled and would stay that way. Google's motto USED to be "don't be evil" and yet they now do exactly that. People that force behaviour onto others are never the good guys. "

Shane, change.org

"As an open source coder, I cannot continue to work on mobile platforms with this change. It closes the door on an individuals right to free expression with the hardware platforms we already own. "

William, change.org

"The reason why i use android is because of the freedom but if Google lockdown android then there no point on staying and not switching to other ecosystem "

Joel, change.org

"The freedom that Android offered was its defining feature. Without that freedom, it is no different than iOS. So when I go to buy my next phone, at least Apple hasn't pulled the rug out from under me, just saying... "

Daniel, change.org

"As a consumer, I bought and use Android platform devices because I care about my privacy and I care about accessing third-party applications that are not strictly on Google's Play Store. I utilize F-Droid and various other third-party app stores, and this would be a major impediment to me. I did not agree to Google pulling the rug from beneath me well after I bought several thousand dollar Android phones and devices. "

Stephen, change.org

"As a CS Professional and recent CS Grad, the flexibility for Android to allow us to share hobby project apps with friends and family who also use Android is a vital part of the learning experience and what makes Android unique. Requiring paid verification based on government ID will have a stifling effect that will make Android loose the open nature that set it apart from Apple, which has been key to its success for many upcoming CS Students, and for many hobbiests that often lead to professional paths. "

Kyler, change.org

"Limiting developer and user freedom in the name of "safety" or whatever will only bring Android down to iOS's level. Don't make this mistake, Google! We must keep the right to make and use APKs freely! "

Julian, change.org

"The freedom of apks is one of the best parts about android period. This will kill their identity, our freedom as consumers, and only give more control to the corporate super entity. "

Walace, change.org

"Users don't deserve the Google jail cell to shrink and encroach any further "

Ben, change.org

"Keep Android an open platform, avoid a massive class action lawsuit. I along many others bought an android phone precisely because of the open ecosystem, you change that, you get sued and lose customers "

Joseph, change.org

"Android is and has been the operating system that gives everyone the freedom to install any apps they want. The action of adding in a developer verification is simply redundant, anyone who goes out of the Google Play store to sideload knows its risks and why they are doing it. It is the only mobile operating system that allows us to do so, we won't let Google stop us. "

Yuquan, change.org

"I think it's bad because there will be no freedom or be able to test out your own apps you want to make like projects "

Angel, change.org

"Android has always been about freedom. "

ben, change.org

"I used APK's to play tons of games I loved, like angry birds star wars and I don't wanna see it taken from me. It has always been easier then apple (I know because I sideload all the time) and doesn't help anyone. You're moving customers away. Do better. "

Jane, change.org

"hell naw I will stick to using old android if I have to "

Willie, change.org

"I bought my Android devices so I could have the freedom to use it as I wish. Google's change goes against every reason I bought my Android devices to use. Keep Android open. Otherwise, what's the point? It feels like I have wasted my time and money now. "

Madison, change.org

"i dont want google to take such a little freedom of installing apps that i think are handy "

gosha, change.org

"Penuit butter "

Dylan, change.org

"Android is the mobile embodiment of freedom. Central registration with any organization is the absolute end to that freedom. This must be stopped. "

Elvira, change.org

"Android has always been shown as an open platform, made for the users to freely develop and share software for it. This change however, goes completely against this picture shown to us and also goes against the freedom and privacy of any developer that still wishes to continue having their work running on the platform; This change isn't safe for anyone but for those that want control of what we do and what we think. "

Jazmin, change.org

"As a user, Stop it. Android is cool for openness: you close it, we'll leave "

Nicolò, change.org

"This is a blatantly security washing a monopoly move to undermine the open internet and free access that grew Google to what it is today. If Google wants to be Apple it should produce Apple level products and services without being a leach. "

E, change.org

"As consumers, we are entitled to the full functionality of the technology we purchase. This includes the freedom to choose how we use our devices and what software to run on them. Google claims their efforts to lock down Android are for security purposes, but their true motivations are based in a incessant need for control and financial gain. Malware concerns have never justified sideloading restrictions on computers, regardless of OS - so why would they suddenly apply to their pocket-sized counterparts? Smartphones serve as the primary drivers enabling both our personal and professional lives, online and offline. Big tech’s desire to rob the people’s agency and ownership over such vital technology through needless restrictions and invasive surveillance for an extra dime clearly shows their lack of integrity and respect for the consumer. Removing the freedom of choice from Android means creating a landscape where all mobile technology will never truly serve their users as all tools should. Coming from someone who has used both Android and iOS devices, I have learned how indispensable the freedom provided by Android really is, even for an average user. Google’s willingness to restrict their users, destroying Android’s greatest strength and its legacy is extremely disappointing. I do not want to live in a world where all technology becomes a series of “walled gardens” as Apple has notoriously made their own phones. We deserve to own our technology, not be owned by our technology. "

Jurrien, change.org

"I regularly use FOSS apps and apps I've been bringing with me in APK form from phone to phone, and the promise of being able to develop and run my own code has been part of what's kept me using Android all these years. For Google to then yank the rug out from under us is a betrayal of the highest order, and for what? Shareholders? To feed the addiction held by seemingly every person in a seat of power to know exactly what a given Android owner ate for breakfast on any given date? What a fall from grace from a company that once touted the mottos "Don't be evil" and "Do the right thing." "

Catherine, change.org

"IT'S ABSURD WHAT GOOGLE IS TRYING TO DO ON ANDROID, ANDROID USERS AND ANDROID DEVICES ABOUT LOCKING THE SYSTEM SO WE CAN'T INSTALL APPS DOWNLOADED FROM WEBSITES AND DOWNLOADED FROM ANY OTHER SOURCE. GOOGLE DOES NOT OWN OUR DEVICES AND WE HAVE THE FULL RIGHT TO DO WHAT WE WANT WITH OUR DEVICES BECAUSE WE PAY FOR THEM. "

Wagner, change.org

"I switched to Android to escape Apple's aggressively anti-consumer walled garden. My S20 Ultra (that I paid over $1600 for, after tax) is finally starting to show it's age, but now I have no incentive to get another android device for my next smartphone if you follow through with these changes. I've been a vocal supporter of Android for years, but if you don't scrap this change, I will boycott Alphabet products altogether and do my best to ensure as many others as possible are well-informed on why they should do the same. "

Jacob, change.org

"The idea that you don't get to decide what software runs on your computer is so toxic and terrible. I don't want google to have the ability to limit what I can do with my devices, nor do I want them to censor developers that don't meet their requirements. It's my device, I want to decide who I trust to write my software. "

Bruce, change.org

"Google you aren't trying to protect the kids you are not trying to protect your users you are trying to control them and do only what you want closing android will kill it especially in the United States if android is closed there is no reason to have an android no freedom no enjoyment just an iPhone lite "

Garrett, change.org

"Stop your control of people devices. "

Sally, change.org

"Locking down the ability to use APKs and other applications outside of the "approved" developers app is a great way to snub creativity and only allow "state sponsored" media on the device that is on your person 24/7. Having the ability to manipulate MY DEVICE that I paid for should be an absolute capability of each device we are expected to carry for years. "

Alex, change.org

"If this is Android's future then it's time for Linux phones! My device my rules. "

Juan Antonio, change.org

"I have android to be free, not to be in a digital prison. Android shouldn't be another apple. "

Dominic, change.org

"Android should be free; it was supposed to be the hero of free or open-source applications. "

Alan, change.org

"I'll repeat what I have seen many other say. It's not "sideloading", it's installing. It's not "making sure you only get what we know is good", it's a digital company town. We already pay for every aspect of our time on this earth. The fact that they want to make it so you can't go anywhere but them? It's a giant flashing LED sign that says monopoly. And I say to not let it happen, for privacy, for ownership, for the right to do what we want with the stuff we buy. "

Benjamin, change.org

"The whole reason i chose android over apple so many years ago was for the freedom choice in how and what my phone does and doesnt do. Now google is attempting to take that away that freedom. Im honestly so frustrated with googles invasive practices that i've deleted all my google accounts, and moved on to better, more privacy focused alternatives. Sadly google wants to kill that off. "

cae, change.org

"I have a bunch of applications that are not on the Google Play Store that I would lose access to if this feature were to be removed. Security Concerns are not a reason to screw over your customers, and just like you and me, we're all people too. People have the right for freedom, and you're revoking that freedom from the devices that we bought and paid for with our own money. This is extremely monopolistic and anti-competitive. There is now essentially no competition between iOS and Android Devices if this feature gets removed. You are doing a disservice to the entire existence of Android by removing this feature. This hurts more than it helps. "

C., 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 has always been my preferred due to the freedom and flexibility it allows developers and consumers like me. To take that away, you're becoming more like apple and deciding what I, the consumer of your devices and software do with my device. If this goes forward, I will utilize an alternative to apple or android. "

Genesis, change.org

"Google isn't trying to protect us from malware with these policies; it's simply trying to control the platform it owns to profit from its platform and the data it collects. "

Tiburcio, change.org

"Android is the operating system for those who want freedom, and to take away our ability to install what we wish, is the start of Google trying to take further control over us. The internet is already falling apart with attempts to "protect" people, but in reality, the internet isn't a place for big companies to try and protect people against their will. "

Dino, change.org

"Not only are open platforms important in general, but this effort specifically is an anticompetitive and a fraudulent attempt by Google to begin walling the garden after profiting off of the work of devs in the community and the consumers who bought their products FOR the open nature of the software and devices. The goal here is not to secure the platform, its to kill open source and privacy conscious competition to Google's corporate surveillance complex. "

Shelden, change.org

"I can't let them have this. This world and especially these last years, tech companies think they can fully control you, utilized you, abuse you. Pls let this be one win for us "

Isaac, change.org

"Android has benefited greatly from being open. It is what sperated Android from iOS. If Android is going to just be iOS, might as well just buy into the Apple ecosystem which is much more robust than Android. "

Chris, change.org

"Google you suck ass. the whole point of Android is freedom. you're going to destroy so much and anger so many people if you do this 3 do it on pixel n ChromeOS or whatever but leave everything else alone you're ruining something beautiful "

liam, change.org

"This is some dirty anti competitive google practice. One of the main reason why people choose android is it's freedom. I'd use a custom rom if my phone supported it(it's a galaxy a04e). Man, i like AOSP, and i really think way mkre people should be using android custom roms for privacy and freedom, because of companies like this, who want to create a monopoly. Android is a good OS, but the company who owns is garbage tbh. So, what i meant is, dont let them continue with those anti competitive practices, havent we had enough of google and big techs dirty practices? "

QByte, change.org

"As a regular user of Android, I've always loved the freedom that Android gave me when it came to downloading apps and APKs. I've never had an issue with Android up until now. This policy is going to be restricting and a violation of the digital rights of both consumers and the creators. This does not protect anybody in the equation, and if this policy goes through then I will not use Android services anymore. Google, please hear our voices and do not go through with this. You will lose many supporters if you do. "

Simon, change.org

"Don't become Apple!!! "

Yahya, change.org

"This level of control over a phone i own is unacceptable if i own it i should be allowed to put what ever i want on it whenever i want without googles permission "

Frank, change.org

"I use android because it is an open platform. If this goes through, developers will stop making apps so I might as well move to apple. "

John, change.org

"Why was Brazil the first country mentioned regarding developer verification for apps??? They want control, for pleasure!??? "

Bruno Eduardo, change.org

"One of the only reasons I use Android today is because of the openness of the operating system. Without it there is no reason why I would pick an Android phone over an iPhone. Most of the apps I use are not found on the playstore because I like to tinker a lot. I also like to make small applications for myself, my co-workers, and friends. Requiring a fee would completely shut down my ability to create niche apps that I already wouldn't be profiting on. "

LANDON, change.org

"One of the biggest things, if not the biggest thing, Android has had over Apple for the longest time is the freedom of the user to make the phone theirs through downloading third party apps, through developers making their own applications without being required to release it through an app store that requires a fee to put it on. My own personal experience has been that I could play one of my favorite games that's no longer on the app store. With these new restrictions and requirements Google is proposing in September, we would lose that freedom, and would become no better than Apple "

Morgan, change.org

"Android you are not our parents, stop acting like sanctioned company guardians. Nobody asked for this. It must be your goal to make yourself another worse option for operating devices. "

Eva, change.org

"Don't take away my ability to do what I want with my stuff. I payed for my device and it's mine to do what I want with. It's my responsibility to not damage my property. "

Peter, change.org

"APKs have brought really cool Android ports to game sites like GameJolt, and and I don't want to see that go away. Also, I heard licenses for these things can get pretty darn expensive, which isn't cool. "

Deirdre, change.org

"We don’t want Android to be the next IOS —— the well known Anti-GNU softwares. Protection is a cover, Operation of False Flag should not and would not be able to succeed. "

Danny, change.org

"APK being open is the soul reason the market stayed successful. It is a staple of our freedoms, fun, and expression. This is a Trojan Horse that infringes on our right to privacy and freedom of speech. Anyone can access our private information. The time to act is now. "

Ciara, change.org

"Google is definitely overreaching in it's attempt to lock down users' ability to install apps via sideloading. There are many valid reasons for users to sideload apps, and many have already been stated, so I won't beat a dead horse. If people aren't smart enough to protect themselves from bricking their phones when they sideload a potentially harmful app, them they deserve what they get. It's not Google's place to be Guardian of the Galaxies (see what I did there?) or Pixels. "

Michael, change.org

"Thie is absolutely ridiculous. Nothing but censorship and control everywhere these past several months. They'll all burn for it. "

Jeffrey, change.org

"Freedom has not been free. I had to change my name to even talk here without feeling like I am spied on. Let the people be free and happiness shall come, that is all I want to add. "

Fawks, change.org

"Competition is important and necessary to make anything good. We should be allowed to choose the software we wanna use. I use Linux for my computer and gaming, as well as iPadOS for my tablet, Android for my phone, and WearOS on my smart watch. I've also been watching videos and been intrigued by GrapheneOS, as it's a lot like Linux and can run the Google Play store. I've been using Android since 2017, and never even knew you could sideload apps (I thought you could only use the Google Play store). But if MacOS, Windows, and Linux let you download whatever compatible apps you want from the web, then why do phones have app stores if we don't use them on a computer? This makes no sense to me at all. If we bought a device, then we should own the device, and should be able to do whatever we want with it, whether that's destroying the device, modding the device, installing new software on the device (or even a different skin of Android, if that means prolonging the lifespan of the device), or sideloading apps. All of this is for the consumer, not the company. I love Android, and would hate to see anything bad happen to it. "

Alley, change.org

"This is the main reason I am a android user. If I have to choice between 2 closed systems then I will go to OS "

Victor Daniel, change.org

"Android providing more freedom than any other OS has been it's drawing point for ages. The fact that that is being taken away for the sake of a corporation's whims is absolutely disgusting, and I would see no reason to continue supporting it. The fact that google believes it has absolute authority to filter content is frankly abhorrent, and it would provide no difference between android and any other OS. "

Guadalupe, change.org

"APKs have been very useful to me for getting games I would otherwise have to get overseas with my dad earlier. It allows many more other applications to be downloaded on to my phone too, which would allow me to bypass the need to get the admin code to my computer every time I want to get something. What is this bs that Google is doing? "

Ja, change.org

"I, as an Android user for 17 years, believe in, and chose Android for, device openness and the freedom of choice. To choose my device, the services I use, from where I download my applications, and to choose FOSS apps that don't require developer registration or sacrificing personal privacy by accepting trackers and/or unnecessary permissions being tied to my app usage. Choice and freedom is what built Android and differentiated it from other platforms, like iOS, Windows Mobile, and other early smartphone operating systems. The trend of destroying user choice through the inability to unlock bootloader and easily root devices, the effective and increasing destruction of the custom ROM community and options, and now the elimination of third party app stores that offer incredible FOSS apps with greater focus on user privacy is one more step Google and Android are taking towards an undesirable ecosystem for many of us who still choose Android for its few remaining, and quickly disappearing, advantages. The argument that Google is requiring developer registration and restricting the ability of alternative app stores, like F-Droid, to continue to thrive as legitimate and worthwhile options is anti-consumer and isn't to protect users. Rather, it's to give users and consumers less control over their devices and data and, in my opinion, that is unacceptable. "

Roger, change.org

"Prohibition is not the way to safety and health. Good UX is enough to allow power user to own their devices. Don't listen to excuses from big corporations that play the victims, while they treat their users like disposables, in order to maximize their profits. Android must stay open. "

Lorenzo, change.org

"They just need to be killed. "

Erich, change.org

"I only choose Android because of the openness and flexibility in how I choose to use my device. Locking down Android with paid developer verification and blocking me from installing apps manually is not being open. "

Jason, change.org

"I want Android to remain an open operating system and platform. "

Eric, change.org

"It doesn't surprise me to hear that GOOGLE is going to do this. It's not about creating something that could possibly be of benefit anymore. The all mighty dollar has to raise it's ugly head now days or it's just not worth doing. "

Ralph, change.org

"I honestly don't understand why this even has to be petitioned for in the first place. It should be self-evident that it should be entirely up to the user what software should be installed on their own device. "

Patrick, change.org

"Google wants developers to pay them a fee even though it has nothing to do with them. Also I own my phone I get to decide what's on it not Google. I'm also cancelling all Google subscriptions because I don't want to support this company anymore. "

alex, change.org

"Freedom of application installation on my own device is paramount to democratic computer access. "

John, change.org

"If the current plan moves forward, the few advantages of freedom on Android will be lost, because inhibiting the use of APKs reduces the user's freedom more than its risks, especially because the lack of security on Android is not limited to using APKs from external sources, but using websites or any file from malicious sources, which are not necessarily an APK. If you really want security, should you also disable Android's access to the internet to avoid downloading malicious files, or are you only interested in APKs? Finally, Google Play is not necessarily better than an external store, because it does not expose the source code of Apps to be investigated and verified, unlike F-Droid, for example, which has numerous criteria for uploading apps and prioritizes verifiable FOSS apps. In my opinion, this change is not aimed at the user... "

Gabriel, change.org

"This is not only concerning or invasive. It's unjust, deceitful and abusive. Once you break this trust, they can AND WILL control every aspect of the software chain. Not even casual users will be safe then. "

Jesse, change.org

"As an iPhone user, Android's ability to sideload apps was the single reason I purchased an Android tablet instead of an iPad. Now that this is going away, Google can go away because they're no different than an Apple phone now. "

Robert, change.org

"I use a lot of free and open source software on my android phone, especially from F-Droid, often because it uses more limited permissions than the Play Store equivalent and because I prefer to customise my phone. Now this freedom is going to be rendered unuseable?! Imposing fees on developers and requiring them to become authorised developers feels authoritarian and restrictive. Leave us the ability to side load apps please! "

Tom, change.org

"The transformation of Android into a closed platform would likely erode its competitive advantage over Apple, potentially positioning Apple as the superior option. As an open-source project, Android should ideally operate without the necessity of governmental or private authorizations. Should Google proceed with such a change, it is highly probable that new operating systems will emerge. These decisions by Google could result in significant detriments to the company without yielding any discernible benefits. As a shareholder, I strongly recommend that Google refrain from pursuing this course of action. I oppose any initiative that would necessitate third-party authorization upon installing and operating applications for the Android platform, as this represents a threat to consumers and creators alike, and moves us closer to a monopolistic market. "

Pedro, change.org

"Google should stop killing Android "

Rafael, change.org

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