Twój telefon wkrótce przestanie być twój.

122 dni do zamknięcia systemu

Z początkiem 2027* roku, cicha aktualizacja wymuszona przez Google bez zgody użytkowników, zablokuje każdą aplikację na Androida której twórca nie zarejestrował się w Google, nie podpisał umowy, nie zapłacił i nie przakazał danych z dowodu tożsamości.

Każda aplikacja i każde urządzenie na całym świecie, bez możliwości rezygnacji.

Co Google planuje

W sierpniu 2025 roku, Google ogłosiło nowy wymóg: wraz z początkiem 2027 roku każdy programista aplikacji na Androida musi się zarejestrować w centralnym systemie Google zanim jego aplikacja będzie mogła zostać zainstalowana na jakimkolwiek urządzeniu. Dotyczy to wszystkich aplikacji, nie tylko tych ze Sklepu Play. Aplikacje udostępniane miedzy przyjaciółmi, dystrybuowane przez F-Droida, stworzone przez hobbystów na użytek prywatny. Niezależni programiści, organizacje kościelne i społeczne, a także hobbyści - wszyscy zostaną pozbawieni możliwości tworzenia i dystrybucji swojego oprogramowania.

Rejestracja wymaga:

Jeśli programista się nie zgodzi, jego aplikacja zostanie po cichu zablokowana na każdym urządzeniu z systemem Android na świecie.

Komu to zaszkodzi

Tobie

Telefon z Androidem wybierało się dlatego, że Google twierdziło, że to otwarty system. Można było instalować, co się chciało i taka była umowa.

Google teraz przepisuje tę umowę z mocą wsteczną (retroaktywnie) na każdym urządzeniu, które już posiadasz. Po zainstalowaniu aktualizacji, będzie można uruchomić tylko te aplikacje, które Google uwcześnie zatwierdziło. Na Twoim telefonie: Twojej własności, zakupionej przez Ciebie.

Niezależnym programistom

Pierwsza aplikacja nastolatka, narzędzie do ochrony prywatności stworzone przez wolontariusza, poufna wewnętrzna beta danej firmy - nie ma to żadnego znaczenia. W 2027 roku żadna z nich nie będzie mogła zostać zainstalowana bez błogosławieństwa firmy Google.

F-Droid, dom dla tysiąca darmowych i otwartoźródłowych aplikacji, nazwał to "egzystencjonalnym" zagrożeniem. Cory Doctorow nazywa to "Darth Androidem".

Rządy i organizacje społeczne

Firma Google ma za sobą historię przypadków, w których podporządkowywała się żądaniom autorytarnych reżimów dotyczącym usunięcia aplikacji. Wraz z wprowadzeniem powyższego programu oprogramowanie, z którego korzystają instytucje w Twoim kraju, będzie istniało tylko i wyłącznie dzięki woli jednej, niepodlegającej żadnej kontroli zagranicznej korporacji.

Oragnizacja EFF nazywa kontrolę dostępu do aplikacji jako "coraz szerszą drogę do cenzury w Internecie".

"Furtka" od Google w rzeczywistości jest pułapką

Google twierdzi, że "zaawansowani użytkownicy" "wciąż mogą zainstalować" niezweryfikowane aplikacje. Oto jak to naprawdę wygląda:

  1. Przejdź do ustawień systemu i znajdź Opcje Programisty
  2. Kliknij numer wersji siedem razy by włączyć Tryb Programisty
  3. Pomiń odstraszające komunikaty sugerujące, że ktoś Cię do tego zmusza
  4. Wprowadź kod PIN
  5. Uruchom ponownie urządzenie
  6. Poczekaj 24 godziny
  7. Wróć i zamknij kolejne odstraszające ekrany
  8. Wybierz "zezwól tymczasowo" (7 dni) albo "zezwól na czas nieokreślony"
  9. Potwierdź, znowu, że rozumiesz "zagrożenia"

Dziewięć kroków. Obowiązkowy 24-godzinny okres oczekiwania. Żeby móc zainstalować oprogramowanie na urządzeniu, którego jesteś właścicielem.

Co gorsza: cały ten proces odbywa się w całości przez Usługi Google Play, a nie przez system Android. Google może go zmienić, zaostrzyć jego zasady albo całkowicie wyłączyć w dowolnym momencie, bez jakiejkolwiek zgody czy konieczności aktualizacji systemu operacyjnego. Na dzień dzisiejszy, program nie trafił jeszcze do żadnej wersji beta, podglądowej ani eksperymentalnej. Istnieje jedynie jako wpis na blogu i kilka makiet.

To jest coś większego niż tylko Android

Jeśli Google może z mocą wsteczną zablokować miliardy urządzeń, które zostały sprzedane jako otwarte platformy, każdy producent sprzętu na świecie uważnie to obserwuje.

Przyjęta została zasada: to producent decyduje po zakupie, jakie oprogramowanie możesz uruchomić na urządzeniu. W świecie oprogramowania, nazywane jest to "rug pull" (dosłownie: wyciąganie spod kogoś dywanu), ale zawsze można było zainstalować konkurencyjne oprogramowanie. W przypadku sprzętu jest to fakt dokonany, który pozbawia Cię możliwości wyboru i sprawia, że nie masz wpływu na kaprysy pojedynczego, nieodpowiadającego przed nikim strażnika dostępu i skazanego monopolisty.

Otwartość Androida nigdy nie była tylko cechą. Była obietnicą, która odróżniała go od iPhone'a. Miliony wybrały Androida dokładnie z tego powodu. Google teraz jednostronnie wycofuje się z tej obietnicy w odniesieniu do urządzeń, które już są w kieszeniach użytkowników, ponieważ uznali, że mają wystarczającą dominację rynkową i wpływ na organy regulacyjne, aby uszło im to na sucho.

Ars Technica: "Zazdrość Google'a wobec Apple'a grozi zniszczeniem tradycji otwartości Androida."

Ale chwila, czy nie...

"...chodzi po prostu o bezpieczeństwo?"

Argumenty dotyczące bezpieczeństwa to tylko przykrywka. Usługa Google Play Protect już teraz skanuje aplikacje w poszukiwaniu złośliwego oprogramowania, niezależnie od tożsamości twórcy. Wymóg posiadania dokumentu tożsamości wydanego przez państwo nie zwiększa bezpieczeństwa kodu. Sprawia, że programistów można zidentyfikować i kontrolować. Twórcy złośliwego oprogramowania mogą się zarejestrować. Niezależni programiści i dysydenci często nie mogą. Oragnizacja EFF mówi wprost: kontrola dostępu oparta na tożsamości jest narzędziem cenzury, a nie zabezpieczeniem.

"...jest to wciąż instalacja z innego źródła?"

Dziewięć kroków, 24-godzinny okres oczekiwania, ukryte w Opcjach Programisty, dostarczone przez własnościową usługę, przez którą Google może wycofać dostęp kiedykolwiek będzie chciało. To nie jest instalacja z innego źródła. To jest mechanizm odstraszający stworzony, aby upewnić się, że prawie nikt go nie ukończy. Dzięki temu, że działa on poprzez Usługi Google Play a nie system operacyjny, Google może go zaostrzyć albo po cichu wyłączyć.

"...jest to tylko problemem jeśli masz coś do ukrycia?"

Pierwszymi ofiarami będą sygnaliści, dziennikarze i aktywiści działający w krajach rządzonch przez reżimy autorytarne. Kolejną grupą będą osoby doświadczające przemocy domowej. Wszystkie te grupy mają uzasadnione powody, aby rozpowszechniać lub korzystać z oprogramowania bez przekazywania swojej tożsamości do baz danych Google'a. Anonimowy wkład w rozwój oprogramowania otwartoźródłowego to tradycja starsza niż samo Google. Niniejsza polityka położy jej kres na Androidzie.

"...jest to przypadkiem to samo co robi Apple?"

Apple od samego początku funkcjonowało jako zamknięty ekosystem. Ludzie wybierali Androida właśnie dlatego, że był inny. Twierdzenie „Apple też tak robi” to wyścig ku upadkowi i słaby argument typu tu quoque (tj. "oni też"). A pod wpływem presji regulatorów (Akt o rynkach cyfrowych) nawet Apple zostało zmuszone do otwarcia się. Natomiast Google podąża w przeciwnym kierunku: próbuje jeszcze bardziej umocnić swoją pozycję kontrolną.

"...jest to po prostu 25 dolarów i jakaś papierologia?"

Może jeśli jesteś programistą w Stanach Zjednoczonych z kartą kredytową i prawem jazdy. Spróbuj jednak postawić się w sytuacji studenta z Afryki Subsaharyjskiej, dysydenta z Birmy lub wolontariusza utrzymującego aplikację służącą lokalnej społeczności. Koszt nie jest tylko finansowy: oddajesz rządowy dowód tożsamości i dowody posiadania kluczy podpisujących firmie, która rutynowo stosuje się do żądań od rządów dotyczących usuwania aplikacji i ujawniania tożsamości programistów.

Walcz

Wszyscy

Programiści

Nie rejestruj się. Nie dołączaj do programu, rejestrując się w Android Developer Console i akceptując ich nieodwołalne Warunki korzystania z usługi. Nie potwierdzaj swojej tożsamości. Nie wchodź w to.

Plan Google'a zadziała tylko jeśli programiści się do niego zastosują. Nie rób tego.

Pracownicy firmy Google

Jeśli wiesz coś na temat wdrożenia technicznego programu lub jego wewnętrznych założeń, skontaktuj się z nami pod adresem tips@keepandroidopen.org z komputera niebędącego komputerem służbowym i z konta innego niż Gmail. Gwarantujemy całkowitą poufność.

Wszyscy, którzy są przeciwni...

71 organizacji z 23 krajów podpisało list otwarty

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

Przeczytaj cały list otwarty i podziękuj sygnatariuszom →

Co mówią inni

Prasa techniczna

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

XDA Developers

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

Benzinga

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

TechCrunch

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

Techzine EU

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

Tom's Guide

"Keep Android Open"

Linux Magazine

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

Open Source For U

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

Slashdot

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

The Verge

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

It's FOSS News

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

TechRepublic

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

The Register

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

Android Police

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

Datamation

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

Tuta Blog

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

How-To Geek

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

The Register

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

Reclaim The Net

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

Ars Technica

"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

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

heise online

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

Bleeping Computer

"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

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

How-To Geek

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

How-To Geek

"An 'existential' threat to alternative app stores"

The New Stack

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

MakeUseOf

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

Ars Technica

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

Techdirt

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

How-To Geek

"Google's Android developer verification program draws pushback"

InfoWorld

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

Infosecurity Magazine

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

Hackaday

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

9to5Google

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

The Register

"Google Clamps down On Android's Openness"

Internet Freedom Foundation (India)

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

Android Headlines

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

Android Headlines

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

How-To Geek

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

TechSpot

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

How-To Geek

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

Android Headlines

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

Cybernews

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

Gizmochina

Artykuły redakcyjne i analizy

Organizacje i listy otwarte

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

AdGuard

"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

"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

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

European Parliament

"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

"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

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

AdGuard

"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'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

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

European Pirate Party

"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

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

F-Droid

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

Nextcloud

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

Tech-ish Kenya

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

Tuta

"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

"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

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

F-Droid

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

Tuta

"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

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

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

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

Osservatorio Nessuno

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

ACLU

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

F-Droid

"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

"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

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

Tuta

"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

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

Nextcloud

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

F-Droid Open Letter

YouTuberzy i twórcy

"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 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

"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

"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

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

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

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

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

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

Tuta Blog – 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

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

fireborn – Blog

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

fireborn – Blog

"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

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

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

"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 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

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

ChiefGyk3D – 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

"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

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

Linus Sebastian, LMG Clips – 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

"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

Programiści i społeczność

"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

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

Zak, Lemmy

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

girvo, Hacker News

"Give me liberty or give me Symbian."

masterofn001, Lemmy

"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

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

lynxy, Tildes

"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

"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

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

Max-P, 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

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

layfellow, 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

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

TheTearMiser, Lemmy

"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

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

MrZander, Hacker News

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

survirtual, 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

"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

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

vala, Lemmy

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

koala, Lobsters

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

Zak, 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

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

nibbleyou (developer in India), 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

"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

"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

"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

"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

"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

"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

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

flykespice (developer in Brazil), 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 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

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

WaffleMonster, Slashdot

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

BenjaminRi, Lobsters

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

hn92726819, 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

"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

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

anordal, Lobsters

"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

"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

"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

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

hbn, 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

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

gumby271, 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

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

tejtm, 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

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

Apocryphon, Hacker News

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

BenjaminRi, Lobsters

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

afferi300rina, 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

"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

"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

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

Tiraon, Tildes

"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

"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

"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

Głosy z petycji

"I see why this could be a potential issue if this does happen. Hopefully it doesn't go through and it stays the same. "

Gavin, change.org

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

Dominic, change.org

"The ability to download apps directly from developers is one of the main differentials of Android from IOS. Limiting this will severely impact the market share of Android by removing basically any reason anyone would want to use Android over IOS. "

gabriel, change.org

"I wanted android mainly for its ability to download things in third party app stores, unlike Apple, now that Google is going to be doing this, it makes Google look no better than Apple, Android, infamous for its open sourcability now getting locked down just like iOS. I really hope that this is refuted instead of pushed to Android. "

Joshua, change.org

"Android has always been about freedom. "

ben, change.org

"Google is stupid and annoying and I hate them let me do what I want with my phone or imma just use grapheneOS "

David, change.org

"We need to stop the "APPLE-FICATION" of our beloved ANDROID. We have supported Android & Google since it's beautiful inception, to stick it to EVIL BIG CORPS. LIKE APPLE. The act of PREVENTING us from installing APK's or other OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE, is a direct BETRAYAL of us LOYAL USERS of the ANDROID OS. A YUUGE SLAP in the face with 20+ years worth of power behind it. This act maybe not be coming until 2027.... Regardless, this will affect lots of Devs., Users, and others in the ecosystem that prefer to not use the "Play Store" to obtain their apps, and don't Agree with the way that Apple treats it's customers & doesn't want Android to become a company that continually oversteps it's boundaries, & HAS PUT PROFIT OVER PEOPLE SINCE IT'S INCEPTION. ANDROID started as the O.S. of the people, made by an Alliance of Companies, that know how to treat their customers and constantly listened to Android Users, in regards to features and other things that were requested after every update. This is how we have Arrived @ the current version. After countless features added, bug fixes and years of us buying devices with Androids O.S. '27 might be the last year that MILLIONS OF LOYAL ANDROID users turn their backs on the operating system & move on to other Operating Systems that don't want to treat us like children under the guise of "SAFETY".... PLS MAKE SURE TO SHARE THIS WITH EVERYONE YOU KNOW AND ASK THEM TO SHARE AS WELL! OUR LITERAL DIGITAL FREEDOM & PREVENTING ANDROID FROM BECOMING EVERYTHING THEY WERE AGAINST IN THE BEGINNING IS IN OUR HANDS. WILL THIS PETITION WORK? WHO KNOWS. THEY OBVIOUSLY HAVE THEIR MINDS ON RECLAIMING ALL THE LOST REVENUE FROM FREE APPS, ALT OPERATING SYSTEMS, AND CRACKED APPS/GAMES. Apple has prevented cracked App from the start, that led many ppl to switch to Android after they started bricking JAIL BROKEN iPhones. This might happen with Android as well, nobody wants a bricked Android just because we don't agree with paying between $3 &$9, in order to not get AD's every time that you start a new level on a game, every 3 minutes, every time you open the app, or being restricted from certain functions that only work with the "FULL" Version of the App. PLS ANDROID DON'T TURN INTO APPLE. Remember the motto that you based your whole system on "DON'T BE EVIL"... Leave that to Apple and their sheep users that allow themselves to be controlled by an evil corp. "

Brian, change.org

"I am developer and i need work that, dont block my work "

Celso, change.org

"I'm tired of the world becoming largely more authoritarian and censorial in general. Forcing developers to tie their personal identification, pay a fee to Google, and requiring one to be a part of a poorly curated program of developers makes absolutely no sense at all. It is clear this is an attempt to further monopolize the app market by Google in order to extract more profits, while also making it easier to surveil and censor owners of Android devices. As an open source developer, and privacy enthusiast, these points allow such communities to not even flourish, but to simply exist. This locking down of the operating system, while providing no meaningful alternatives WILL kill such communities. I make a point to use as many open source applications on my phone as possible, because so many applications on the Play Store are primarily data collection mechanisms with the app's advertised use being secondary. This sucks. "

Shaun, change.org

"The selling point of Android has always been freedom, in contrast to Apple's centralized ecosystem. I use Android because it allows me to tailor my experience to my wants and needs rather than what a big corporation decided that I need. I like supporting small creators and developers, which will be made increasingly more difficult with such a barrier to app creators. If you turn into Apple, there is no more reason to choose Android. You will just be another form of unnecessary censorship and limitation. "

Jackson, change.org

"Sideloading? I call it installing! We own these phones, not you! The reason we buy Android is not simply the 'AI Features', but because it isn't as dystopian as iOS. Android has been about giving the user the choice on what apps they personally want, and to customize what they prefer. Google has been slowly taking it away from us, and they can't do this anymore! This is the final straw! "

William, change.org

"I remember when Android was a truly open platform, where the user could do anything they wanted to their phone. Now, it seems that this is at risk. I remember getting an Android phone because, as a developer, I thought I could openly install my own apps. But now that's also at risk. Please, remove this horrible change and implement actual security features. "

Jay, change.org

"Android is dying but we shall together to save Android. "

Elmer, change.org

"We need android to stay open "

Mark, change.org

"I have been a supporter of Android since release in 2008 precisely because it is an open market. What I choose to put on hardware I own should be my decision, not a big brother acting like a babysitter. This action by Google is simply eroding my good will for them. We need to be able to do what we please with our devices. "

Anthony, 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

"Anyone from brazil here? "

Luis, change.org

"Android users have had the ability to use APKs for so long. It is a major thing that differentiates them from Apple, and something that has prevented me from switching over. Without the freedom of apks, there is nothing keeping me with Android or Google. "

Kayla, change.org

"As someone who regularly uses apk files on my phone to help fight loneliness and to prevent myself from taking my own life, DO NOT TAKE AWAY OUR FILES!! "

Eric, change.org

"Authoritarians, I know you want the whole pie, but if you aspire for it we will make sure you lose the majority you already hold. "

Josh, 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

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

gosha, change.org

"Google's monopolistic power over what we can and cannot download/do/say is already too strong. This cannot continue. "

Briar, change.org

"Having the ability to own your phone and use it as you wish is the ONLY reason I have used Android over Iphone for years "

Matthew, 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

"More sensorship, more control, just another step into taking away the little bits of freedom we have left in this country in the things we love doing the most. I say no thank you, go away. "

Brandon, change.org

"With the rising price of X86 hardware, ARM devices may be the future of personal computing, but that won't happen if Google smothers development for the largest operating system for ARM based hardware. I should be able to run a program on my machine without the developer needing to pay a fee to Google and dox themselves. "

Dwight, change.org

"One of the reasons why we chose Android was its freedom of doing what you want on your device. Now we have to stop this limitation of a recognized right. "

Francesco, change.org

"Yeah, when you buy a product it belongs to you. You can do whatever you want with your product. I like it open source since it gives full control on the potential you can do with your cellphone. I don't need a nanny telling any consumer what to do or monitor constantly on where I go. I don't like having to give out my personal information to a corporation that has had history of abusing personal information of users. And I don't like the direction it's going by making everything closed source. Android would be no different than Apple. I'm considering purchasing a linux phone so that I can fully have privacy and some form of freedom. Hope this will be a start of a change. Have an odd feeling Android will be going in the direction of what Discord is trying to implement with biometrics and building a profile off of the user of the things the user searches, the contacts the user has, and even the calls. Enough said. "

Cely, change.org

"Google sucks if it changes android and will burn! "

Gage, change.org

"I originally chose android so I can learn and make things with apk packages, modify my phone and practice security and privacy. Also to break away from the apple cult. If google goes through with it, that'll betray myself and so many others who feel the same. "

Christopher, 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 is all about being open. Removing the ability to install apps without the play store destroys this freedom. This will kill the dreams of young app developers, and will hurt high-quality open source apps that don't have the funding to pay to Google. This move will stifle app development innovation, and will hurt users by removing choice. Without free choice, I am left asking the question "Why Android anymore?" If Android is locked down like IOS, maybe going with Apple is better. I hope I don't have to switch to IOS. "

Austin, change.org

"Freedom to install apps not verified by Google is one the main reasons to choose android over IOS. And claims that it's for security is BS. There are plenty of malicious apps on the playstore anyways, and this is going to lead to people who don't necessarily know what they're doing doing things like rooting their device, unaware of the risks. Besides, why is it any of Google's business what apps I install on a device I purchased? "

Cliff, change.org

"The spirit of open source is one of the basis of the Internet.Please do not reverse the course of history. "

Roberto, change.org

"Honestly with having used Android multiple times throughout my life, platforms like F-Droid have provided me with some very good open source applications and I'd hate to see that go away. "

Lucas, change.org

"Android is OPEN SOURCE That's why Android is everywhere. But Google is using this power dangerously. Technology should empower, not confine. Restricting APK installation weakens innovation, discourages experimentation, and chips away at the diversity that made Android thrive in the first place. "

Kerem, change.org

"Keep android open! "

Giuseppe, change.org

"I choose to use Android as it gives me the ability to freely use my mobile phone the way I intend to. I would like to continue developing apps as a hobby without needing to be an "approved developer" and sharing my government issued identity with Google. "

Christian, change.org

"Monopole kosten,vdas tragen dann wir alle. "

Richard, change.org

"Show us a reason to use Android over iOS. It is this bit of freedom that makes us choose Android. Without it, we might as well save up for Apple products, which are solid, but less choice. It is the choice that makes Android worth looking at. "

J, change.org

"The whole point---for me---to have an Android phone is to stay away from Apple's closed ecosystem. Google locking down APK privileges to "approved developers" spits in the face of this. An owner of a phone should have the right and ability to install whatever they want on it, without deference to any company. If this change goes through, my next phone certainly won't be an Android one. "

Adam, change.org

"As a kid, I used to think iPhone, and iOS as a whole, was great. As I thought "people don't need alot of things, they have everything they want." Until I had a Google Pixel 6 Pro for Christmas. It became my tinkering device, and allowed me to access things, I never knew I wanted. And it allowed me to have access things that usually would've costed my family a pretty penny. By forcing verification "

Josue, change.org

"Implanting a feature like this would just kill the whole point of why i brought an android device. Might as well switch to apple, cause at least I would have a more cohesive experience. "

Edgar, change.org

"I have advocated for android over apple for years in large part due to freedom of software and hardware choices. Ive gotten many to convert over. If google implements this change it will be a huge problem and make me and many others start considering alternative options. Google, be a pioneer and supporter of developers worldwide, not a stifler of technology and innovation. "

Emmanuel, change.org

"Let me preface this. Sideloading is *installing a program on a personal computer,* for all that it's phone shaped. You might be used to this behavior from iOS, but even Mac PCs will let you install applications that are unsigned and made by other people, and on the closed-source Windows environment it's still *the main way to get applications,* despite there now being two different official app stores on that platform. Nothing needs to be said about the various Linux/Unix environments. The centralized registration of both apps and developers is not the right approach. It creates a monopoly over who can be an Android developer and will greatly limit the desire to develop apps if it is no longer something that can be done as a hobby but a slow, complicated expense with the requirement to identify oneself. I've done some hobbyist development, but I would not have learned coding if these were the standards I had to meet, and I'd only be losing money. It encourages turning a problem-solving hobby project others might benefit from into a cash grab, or just discourages it entirely. It will in one blow destroy all apps which are no longer maintained, or those who are developed by people who can't or won't escrow their identities with Google, including myself. It also integrates Google's control over the phone even more deeply into how even the phone's software runs, locking these allegedly open devices even more under Google's remote control, and which is already a challenge for makers of de-Googled devices. I strongly suspect it will also become used to apply arbitrary limitations to developers (read the XScreenSaver privacy policy if you'd like to know more) and block many of the tools we currently take for granted, such as those used to root phones. After all, rooting a phone would likely permit installing arbitrary apps, and Google's security model already "distrusts" those devices to the point that they break e.g. banking apps or DRM, so why would they allow something if it conflicts with their security model and they can now control any code that runs on your device? In the end, this WILL be used by Google to permanently remove many people's ability to develop apps on Android at all, likely because those people made tools that provided capabilities Google is not willing to offer or let exist on the free market anymore. The ID requirement will prevent them from creating new accounts and the devices will retroactively block even their installed apps from working while preventing those developers, those _people,_ from making more even on other stores (if other stores even continue existing, given that they would effectively become arms of Google just to have the apps work). "

Russell, change.org

"As an evil, evil man, I despise google because they are worse. Thus, I of then times look at this website and sign all the petitions against google. Amen brother man "

David, change.org

"Enough freedoms have been taken away, so leave the tech ALONE!!! "

John, change.org

"I've been a long Android user, and I learned so much due to being able to sideload programs; even being able to manually install google play services on some devices where it doesn't come by default. I believe that Google should not lock this change so we can have our own choices to do what we want with out programs and apps; unlike Apple who locks down their ecosystem, and (more so unrelated) Amazon picking out and stopping jailbreaks, which is the reason I have an android phone. For that freedom promised. Google, make the right decision. "

Brandon, change.org

"I use Android because I believe in its policy on freedom of software. If Google is able to take that away, it puts immense power in the hands of 2 giant companies (Apple and Google) as the sole arbiters of what software billions of people are and aren't allowed to use. That scares me, and it should scare you too. "

Nate, change.org

"I chose to use android for the freedom and customization within its current limits. I have never owned any other type. If this passes, I will be leaving galaxy and Google android devices. I believe in freedom and privacy for all. "

Joel, 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

"Allow us beginning programmers get comfortable with writing scripts and getting used to a whole new set of rules without needing to have licenses that cost money. "

Wes, change.org

"Google loves trying to downfall their own creation by doing stupids things. Android is a best OS to side load apps, and also freedom to install apps outside of google play, but this goes so bad that i prefer apple over this. we can also side load without apple trying to remove side load. and no, i don't want to be "an approved developer" i don't want pay to a boring business who trys to downfall their own creation by doing shitty updates, because who wants to show their identify just for be "an approved 18+ old" user? well, NOBODYS. even adults. bye android, hello apple. "

Juh, change.org

"This would destroy a lot of unknown developers and other people who make great apps. "

Aidan, change.org

"It really seems like part of a conspiracy to turn the entire digital world into a tool for psychological and mass control. Let's raise our voices together against this immense idiocy, most likely promoted primarily by governments and not directly by Google. 👁️📐👌⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐❤️ "

Alessio, change.org

"Android, since it's existence, has always been about the user. Removing access to apps that millions of people use every day will shatter that foundation and make android indifferent to its competitors. "

Jack, 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

"Android has always been about freedom and an open option for not only everyday users but developers and artists as well. If Google gets their way this will be a devastating blow to privacy, freedom, independence and how people live their lives. Do not let them get away with this! "

Jonathan, change.org

"Google,please don't do that. Because if you do that, millions and millions of Android users will switch to iOS, because that's the point of Android even exists! *I* switched to Android because I did not like iOS So please... Give us the freedom we want! "

Eduardo, change.org

"I've been using Android for 10+ years instead of iOS sorely because of how open it is. I can customize a lot of my phone for convenience, looks, accessibility; I can download programs from F-Droid or games from Itch.io. Removing that or making it significantly harder is a deal breaker for me. "

Lucas A, change.org

"This would kill a big company steam games from haveing app. "

Timothy, change.org

"Google's plan to mandate developer verification for all Android apps is a direct betrayal of the platform's open promise. It crushes indie developers, hands a single corporation veto power over our devices, and sets a dangerous precedent for digital freedom. If we don't push back now, Android will become just another walled garden. "

DC, 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

"The only reason I use android is for the freedoms that it brought, allowing for FOSS apps is literally they only thing that separates you from apple!! "

Joseph, change.org

"Leave our phones alone. Dont turn Android into Apple "

leavemyphonealone, change.org

"I really don't want this to happen because downloading external applications is what makes this operating system special: it allows you to be free to do whatever you want with your phone. I don't want it to become an iPhone 2.0. Please don't do it. "

Dark, 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

"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 do not want Google to get a third monopoly. That is the whole point of this gatekeeping. I'm sick of these corporations doing whatever they want. "

Aidan, change.org

"Android has always stood out because it respects the user’s right to choose. Imposing limits on sideloading or labeling people as “unapproved developers” turns that freedom into a cage. I don’t want someone else dictating how I use my own device. Restricting these choices doesn’t make anyone safer—it just centralizes power and stifles creativity. Android’s strength comes from openness, flexibility, and experimentation. Losing that feels less like protection and more like control. Users, not corporations, should decide how they interact with their devices. "

Ada, change.org

"We need to continue to have options on the android platform. Once censorship begins where does it end. Developers need to have freedom and not be oppressed by greed. Side-loading is what makes ANDROID if that is taken, what makes Android unique it’s just like IOS a walled garden. "

Edgar, change.org

"Android is Linux. Linux is free! "

Arthur, change.org

"The end for digital freedom is already nearing, with all the new social media and age verification laws. The whole point of a computer is to store and process data, allowing you to do various tasks. You should be able to use a device without having to verify 50 million things and give up your identity, it's all just an excuse for the government to track you, create more censorship, and for the companies to sell more of your data. Android is an open mobile operating system, and it should stay that way. One of the main reasons I strongly prefer Android over iOS is how open Android is. This action Google is doing will not protect anything or anyone, it will just cause more drama. "

Angus, change.org

"I've received pornographic viruses from puzzle games from the Google Play store. Google should remember why people go Android; Apple has locked down their systems to make them unbearable. Android gave freedom. If they lock it down, we'll use something else. I'm looking forward to a dumb phone and a physical camera...no annoying social media there. Or Google holding your money for you. Google offers nothing I need to use except an email, and last I checked, anyone offers those. The programs I love can be accessed on both Android AND PC...guess which I'll be shifting to! "

Kay, change.org

"I'm old enough to remember when Google's company montto was "Don't be evil". "

Ryan, change.org

"As an android user myself. I want to help make a change by signing this petition. We cannot let Google take away user freedom as the whole reason android got popular in the first place is because it is open-source. People should not be told what to do and what not to do on their device and it should be up to the user. "

Anonymous, change.org

"I wanted to switch to android because I liked the ability to still have acess to older apps and software when it no longer works. I currently have an Iphone and can no longer use older versions due to the age of my phone. Hearing this news will definitely lead me to proabably buy an Iphone over android. I will no longer have the right to download cool apps like emulators or download apps that no longer work properly on the version of the phone and software I have. I believe Google needs to reverse it decision on banning sideloading. It is a free ecosystem and users understand the risks if they do it. It is unfair for all android phones to be affected because most phones use Android and I belive this monopoly on technology needs to stop. "

Kalista, change.org

"Google will lose so much money from this, and frankly, we know money is all they care about. Not only is this an obvious nosedive into fascism, it's anti-consumer and I hope Google suffers for it. "

Darien, change.org

"I'm not even an Android app developer, but I've always wanted to be. Now, I'm not sure that I do. Making this change will mean that all apps will funnel through Google Play, which gives Google exclusive control and a censorship chokehold on the entire Android ecosystem. I shouldn't have to explain why that would not be good. The whole thing that made Android different from iOS is that it was OPEN. Now Google's just throwing that out of the window. At this point, I might just switch to iOS because Android has lost all of its character. "

Ethan, change.org

"There's a reason we chose Android over iOS. If this change happens there is zero reason for me to ever purchase another android device ever again. Might as well have better device hardware at that point. "

Daniel, change.org

"Don't trust billionare companies, they want to take away our choice! "

Hugo, change.org

"The world can live without android if it's just an apple clone, and the Chinese will copy/clone better if you give them such a easy opportunity sense your taking away freedom, all they have to do is give some freedom and everyone won't be buying apple or android anymore. "

Hilario, change.org

"From a U.S. point of view it leaves us with only 2 wall gardens (Apple iOS and Google Android) as choices for smartphone operating systems with no other serious competition. I do not think this is a good thing for consumers. "

Mark, change.org

"I've always bought Android phones because I always liked the freedom of being able to download anything without having to be limited by the phone itself, like Apple. But now that Android is going to become Android 2.0, I'll throw away my Android phone and just buy an Apple if it's going to be the same. 👎 Android is all wrong. "

Mauricio, change.org

"Your going to lose customers to apple to make a quick buck. A lot of android users are android users because you can use the phone how you please. Stop being dumb. "

Christopher, change.org

"Free open Android is the reason we use it. Spread the word people. "

Gregory, change.org

"Android giving users choice has been the staple point of android OS. Removing choices like sideloading apps is not the correct move instead Google should be helping ways to improve Android and allow developers to make it better. "

Ava, change.org

"If this goes through I’m going to apple "

Matt, change.org

"The ONLY reason why i stay with android is because of the freedom. That is literally the only thing that makes android stand out compared to apple and is the reason why I stayed with android my whole life . If this change does happen and that freedom gets taken away . Im definitely going to switch to apple as there is no reason to entertain android/google anymore . Google , take note of your communities feelings on this matter and understand the risks from an financial stand point on how negatively this will impact your sales. I'm flat out saying you will lose me at least who is a loyal android and google supporter. If im willing to leave , imagine the rest of the community. "

Vincenzo, change.org

"Do not allow this tyranny! Refuse this overeach and help promote free software and your right to be able use your device the way YOU see fit. "

Nichita, change.org

"This is the only reason android is better than android "

David, change.org

"Android livre já "

Alan, change.org

"Android gives us a choice. That is so so important to us in this day and age. Please let us continue to do so. "

Jenna, change.org

"Android was always advertised as an open OS for anyone, and was like Windows or Linux, supporting unsigned app installs. If need to use ADB to install some indie app for things, or need to go through a development environment just to install a singular random app, then I might as well switch to iOS, as Android just lost it's best weapon in the battle against Apple. "

Trenton, change.org

"Giving consumers a choice in their software increases competition and ultimately benefits the consumer in the products they use. Giving choice to developers on how to reach the consumer is beneficial from single developers to large companies as it gives them options to be shown in the spotlight or reach a niche group that would appreciate their product. By giving power to a single organization to determine who the winners and losers are you set that company up to always choose their products over a competitor even if their products are inferior to the competitors. "

John, change.org

"Google already has too much to say on which apps one is allowed to run on their phone. Play Integrity already ruins the Android experience for most custom ROM users and now they're going for side loading, too. This has to stop. "

Alexander, change.org

"I release my apps on Github, this change will make my apps unusable. "

Mitch, change.org

"This will effectively remove the android edge over apple. Modifying my phone is the main reason I choose not just android but GOOGLE PIXEL phone and accessories. Literally a huge market mistake. Signed by android consumer and advocate... "

Michael, change.org

"If wee do not stop this then our computers are next. We will end up the same as other countries who put out the same message to their people to condition them. Our freedom of speech and the right to privacy under the privacy act will be taken away. You do not want this!!! "

Keith, change.org

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