El teu telèfon està a punt de deixar de ser teu.

123 dies fins al bloqueig

A partir del 2027*, una actualització silenciosa, imposada per Google sense consentiment, bloquejarà totes les aplicacions d’Android el desenvolupador de les quals no s’hagi registrat amb Google, no hagi acceptat el seu contracte, pagat i lliurat una identificació oficial.

Totes les aplicacions i dispositius, arreu del món, sense excepció.

Què està fent Google

L'agost de 2025, Google va anunciar un nou requisit: a partir del 2027, tots els desenvolupadors d'aplicacions d'Android hauran de registrar-se centralment amb Google abans que el seu programari es pugui instal·lar en qualsevol dispositiu. No només les aplicacions de la Play Store: totes. Això inclou aplicacions compartides entre amics, distribuïdes a través de F-Droid, o creades per aficionats per a ús personal. Desenvolupadors independents, comunitats, organitzacions i aficionats quedaran exclosos de poder desenvolupar i distribuir el seu programari.

El registre requereix:

Si un desenvolupador no compleix, les seves aplicacions es bloquegen silenciosament en tots els dispositius Android del món.

A qui perjudica

Tu

Vas comprar un telèfon Android perquè Google deia que era obert. Podies instal·lar el que volguessis, i aquest era l'acord.

Google està reescrivint aquest acord de manera retroactiva en el maquinari que ja tens. Després de l'actualització, només podràs executar programari que Google hagi aprovat prèviament. Al teu telèfon: la teva propietat, que tu has pagat.

Desenvolupadors independents

La primera app d'un adolescent, una eina de privadesa creada per voluntaris o una beta interna confidencial. No importa. El 2027, cap d'aquestes es podrà instal·lar sense el vistiplau de Google.

F-Droid, que allotja milers d’aplicacions lliures i de codi obert, ho ha qualificatcom una "amenaça existencial". Cory Doctorow ho anomena "Darth Android".

Governs i societat civil

Google té un historial documentat de complir quan règims autoritaris exigeixen eliminar aplicacions. Amb aquest programa, el programari que utilitzen les institucions del teu país dependrà del criteri d'una única corporació estrangera no responsable.

L'EFF adverteix que el control d’aplicacions és "un camí cada cop més ampli cap a la censura a Internet".

La "via alternativa" de Google és una trampa

Google diu que els "usuaris avançats" encara poden "instal·lar" aplicacions no verificades. Això és el que implica realment:

  1. Entrar a la configuració del sistema i trobar les opcions de desenvolupador
  2. Prémer el número de compilació set vegades per activar el mode desenvolupador
  3. Ignorar advertències intimidatòries
  4. Introduir el PIN
  5. Reiniciar el dispositiu
  6. Esperar 24 hores
  7. Tornar-hi i ignorar més advertències
  8. Triar "permetre temporalment" (7 dies) o "permetre indefinidament"
  9. Confirmar de nou que entens "els riscos"

Nou passos. Una espera obligatòria de 24 hores. Per instal·lar programari en un dispositiu teu.

Encara pitjor: aquest procés depèn completament de Google Play Services, no del sistema Android. Google el pot modificar o eliminar en qualsevol moment, sense actualització del sistema ni consentiment. I a dia d'avui, no existeix en cap versió beta. Només és una entrada de blog i maquetes.

Això va més enllà d'Android

Si Google pot bloquejar retroactivament milers de milions de dispositius venuts com a oberts, tots els fabricants del món estan observant.

El principi que s’estableix: la companyia que fabrica el dispositiu decideix, després de comprar-lo, quin programari pots executar. En programari això s'anomena "aixecar la catifa" (en anglès 'rug pull'); però almenys podies instal·lar alternatives. En maquinari és un fet consumat que et deixa sense control.

L'obertura d’Android no era només una característica. Era una promesa. Google ara la revoca unilateralment

Ars Technica: "L'enveja d'Apple per part de Google amenaça amb desmantellar el llegat obert d’Android."

Però espera, això no és...

"...només per seguretat?"

El motiu de seguretat és una cortina de fum. Google Play Protect ja analitza el programari maliciós independentment de la identitat del desenvolupador. Exigir una identificació oficial no fa que el codi sigui més segur. Fa que els desenvolupadors siguin identificables i controlables. Els autors de malware es poden registrar. Els desenvolupadors independents i els dissidents sovint no poden. L'EFF és clara: el control basat en la identitat és una eina de censura, no de seguretat.

"...encara es poden instal·lar apps amb el flux avançat?"

Nou passos, una espera de 24 hores, amagat dins les opcions de desenvolupador, i gestionat per un servei propietari que Google pot revocar quan vulgui. Això no és instal·lació manual. És un mecanisme dissuasiu dissenyat perquè gairebé ningú el completi. I com que depèn de Play Services i no del sistema operatiu, Google el pot restringir o eliminar silenciosament.

"...només és un problema si tens alguna cosa a amagar?"

Els denunciants, periodistes i activistes sota règims autoritaris seran les primeres víctimes. Les persones en situacions de violència domèstica vindran després. Tots aquests col·lectius tenen motius legítims per distribuir o utilitzar programari sense associar la seva identitat legal a una base de dades de Google. La contribució anònima al programari lliure és una tradició anterior a Google. Aquesta política l'elimina a Android.

"...és el mateix que fa Apple?"

Apple ha estat un ecosistema tancat des del principi. La gent va triar Android precisament perquè era diferent. "Apple també ho fa" és una carrera cap avall i un argument feble de tipus tu quoque. A més, sota pressió reguladora (com la Digital Markets Act de la UE), fins i tot Apple s’està veient obligada a obrir-se. Google es mou en la direcció contrària: reforçar encara més el seu control.

"...només són 25 $ i una mica de paperassa?"

Potser, si ets un desenvolupador als EUA amb targeta de crèdit i permís de conduir. Prova de ser un estudiant a l'Àfrica subsahariana, o un dissident a Myanmar, o un voluntari que manté una aplicació de salut comunitària. El cost no és només econòmic: estàs cedint la teva identificació oficial i proves de les teves claus de signatura a una empresa que habitualment compleix amb les demandes governamentals per eliminar aplicacions i exposar desenvolupadors.

Passa a l’acció

Tothom

Desenvolupadors

No us hi registreu. No participeu en el programa registrant-vos a la consola de desenvolupadors d'Android ni acceptant els seus termes i condicions irrevocables. No verifiqueu la vostra identitat. No hi jugueu.

El pla de Google només funciona si els desenvolupadors hi col·laboren. No ho feu.

Treballadors de Google

Si coneixes detalls sobre la implementació tècnica del programa o les seves motivacions internes, contacta amb tips@keepandroidopen.org des d'un dispositiu no laboral i un compte que no sigui Gmail. Confidencialitat absoluta garantida.

Tots els que s'hi oposen…

71 organitzacions de 23 països han signat la carta oberta

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

Llegeix la carta oberta completa i agraeix als signants →

Què en diuen

Premsa tecnològica

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

Android Headlines

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

How-To Geek

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

Slashdot

"Keep Android Open"

Linux Magazine

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

Android Headlines

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

How-To Geek

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

The Register

"An 'existential' threat to alternative app stores"

The New Stack

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

MakeUseOf

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

Android Headlines

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

I-Programmer

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

Techzine EU

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

Reclaim The Net

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

Hackaday

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

Bleeping Computer

"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's new sideloading restrictions will kill the project"

Ars Technica

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

The Verge

"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

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

9to5Google

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

XDA Developers

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

Gizmochina

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

TechRepublic

"Google's Android developer verification program draws pushback"

InfoWorld

"Google Clamps down On Android's Openness"

Internet Freedom Foundation (India)

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

The Register

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

TechCrunch

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

Infosecurity Magazine

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

Cybernews

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

Thom Holwerda, OSnews

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

It's FOSS News

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

The Register

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

TechSpot

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

Benzinga

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

SlashGear

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

How-To Geek

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

heise online

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

How-To Geek

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

Android Police

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

Ars Technica

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

How-To Geek

"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 Rules Threaten to End the F-Droid Open-Source App Store"

How-To Geek

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

Open Source For U

Editorials i anàlisi

Organitzacions i cartes obertes

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

Nextcloud

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

F-Droid

"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

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

AdGuard

"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

"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

"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

"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

"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

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

ACLU

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

AdGuard

"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

"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

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

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

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

F-Droid

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

Tuta

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

F-Droid Open Letter

"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

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

Tuta

"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

"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

"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

"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

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

Tech-ish Kenya

"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

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

Tuta

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

Nextcloud

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

AdGuard

"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

YouTubers i creadors

"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

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

fireborn – Blog

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

Louis Rossmann – YouTube

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

ChiefGyk3D – YouTube

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

SomeOrdinaryGamers (Mutahar) – 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

"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

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

Linus Sebastian, LMG Clips – YouTube

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

fireborn – Blog

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

SomeOrdinaryGamers (Mutahar) – YouTube

"I'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

"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

"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

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

SomeOrdinaryGamers (Mutahar) – 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

"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

"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

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

SomeOrdinaryGamers (Mutahar) – YouTube

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

Techlore – YouTube

"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

"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

"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

"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

Desenvolupadors i comunitat

"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

"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

"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

"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

"Give me liberty or give me Symbian."

masterofn001, Lemmy

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

specproc, Hacker News

"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

"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

"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

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

survirtual, 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

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

WaffleMonster, Slashdot

"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

"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

"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

"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

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

anordal, Lobsters

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

tejtm, 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

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

Max-P, Lemmy

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

hn92726819, Hacker News

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

gumby271, Hacker News

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

afferi300rina, Hacker News

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

girvo, Hacker News

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

layfellow, Hacker News

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

fsniper, Hacker News

"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

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

Zak, Lemmy

"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

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

nibbleyou (developer in India), 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

"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

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

BenjaminRi, Lobsters

"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

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

lynxy, Tildes

"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

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

koala, Lobsters

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

wervenyt, Tildes

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

gcupc, Lobsters

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

BatteryMountain, Hacker News

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

Zak, 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

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

hbn, Hacker News

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

MrZander, Hacker News

"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

"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

"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

"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

"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

"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

"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

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

Apocryphon, Hacker News

"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

"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

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

BenjaminRi, Lobsters

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

vala, Lemmy

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

Tiraon, Tildes

Veus de la petició

"if this goes ahead I will simply refuse to use Android and move to a linux 'phone. "

Graham, change.org

"independenceeeeeeee "

Spam, change.org

"I use sideloaded android apps all the time! They are very useful to have. Android removing this feature will be detrimental to me and many other android users. "

Ian, change.org

"Continue to keep our rights to open-source applications a reality for all Android users on every device and keep the option for everyone to create & install the apps they choose. Allow us to make the choice for ourselves and respect the integrity and freedom of the developers & users that love the Android. "

Mitch, change.org

"If google does go through with this I will do everything in my power to convince anyone with an android or google service to stop using it. "

James, 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

"Don't become Apple!!! "

Yahya, 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

"Android has always been a great thing for side loading and having control over YOUR device and removing it like this is terrible. And should be stopped!!! "

John, change.org

"our digital freedom continues to erode as the years pass, gotta try to slow the degradation "

Kanji, change.org

"Please, allow for users to make exceptions or some other control, keep Android flexible. "

Boris, change.org

"Without users being able yo choose where they get their apps from, smartphones will be a completely locked down means of computing. It does not protect the average user's data, it just makes it so that only the people that Google says can harvest and sell are doing it. They aren't going to vet those people, they're just going to collect their entry fee. "

Nick, change.org

"This is very clearly about "Embrace, Extend, Extinguish" and Google/Alphabet cashing in on control, rather than any kind of measure for protection or security. The main appeal of Android to most users was the openness, transparency, and extensibility, and with this move, all of these are being harmed. "

Anubis, change.org

"Android is the only system the you can do anything with. by closing it. there will be no privacy in the internet. "

jack, change.org

"Google motto used to be "Don't be evil". Today, it doesn't mean anything because they do everything to be evil and greedy. Not many people will follow your restrictions that you like it or not, there is always a way. The Internet is ours, not yours. :) "

Jacob, change.org

"I think the freedom to have a choice on this matter is important, not just because there is a case to make regarding unsupported products let alone possible monopoly concerns, but also because there is a major issue regarding the freedom of choice on this matter that I think should not be taken away as an option for consumers. "

Ronald, change.org

"At one point in time, IOS allowed side loading, which is how I was able to play emulators on my iPod back then. Now, much of what I remember being allowed to do is either behind a paywall, or outright prevented. I (we)moved on to Android to escape those restrictions. Don't let Android turn into IOS, and keep your identity from being stolen! "

Alexander, change.org

"The whole point of going for an Android over an iPhone is the freedom to customize and install what I want. It's bad enough that there are fewer and fewer makers that allow things that used to be expected (headphone jack, replaceable battery, SD storage) but at least we had the apps we wanted, how we wanted them. If this changes, there will be no point to the entire Android platform. This cannot be allowed to happen. We know this isn't about security, either, it's about surveillance and being able to sell more of our data "

Lewis, 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

"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

"Sideloading is a huge part of what makes android awesome. im not updating my phone anymore if this happens "

Cassius, change.org

"Nós vencemos Google idiota 😆😆😆😆😆 "

Bruno, change.org

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

Ben, change.org

"KEEP ANDROID OPEN "

Dennis, change.org

"As a developer, stop! This is the only reason I used Android and didn't have to jailbreak and root it. Making this change under the guise of security amounts to manipulation, lying, deceiving your customers, and taking away their rights to use their device in their way. Mark my words, rooting will become popular again and I will personally be at the forefront of actively working against you and your goals. I cannot agree with such blatant bad faith arguments and poor reasoning. You assume most people aren't developers and too stupid to see through this. You want more money by any means necessary no matter how angry people get. Android was supposed to be an open ecosystem and now you're actively anti-consumer. It's disgusting. "

CARLOS, change.org

"Sideloading is genuinley the one actual reason I choose android phones over Apple. Without it, the switch is actually negligble. This is not the business decision to make. "

Leon, change.org

"Purchasing objects means ownership. If ownership is only given to the haves, the have-nots become slaves. Google, if you are doing this of your own free will, shame on you. Governments of the world: attack evildoers directly, don't punish the populace with slavery. For one sin, all Man suffers. But we don't have to live in that slavery to sinfulness! Return hate with love! "

Jame, change.org

"Locking Android down is an evil decision and completely goes against the original design intention. If this happens, I will no longer use ANY google products and services and publicly boycott. "

Chris, change.org

"A big part of the software that we use currently exists thanks to the open code and developers that share solutions in terms of others can learn and build on them. to demand to the developers to identify or establish a payment to distribute the software, even though there is no a lucrative goal create unnecessary boundaries for independent, educative and experimental projects. Android turned into an innovative plataform due to its openness. Establish a limit to that openness threat the developers ecosystem that made it possible. "

Santos, change.org

"Having a device where you control what does or does not go on it is our right to have. We bought this device and we should have the freedom to do what we want with the device, regardless of the manufacturer or operating system it is on. Allowing this change to happen is just one more step towards a controlled ecosystem; by Google, for Google and this is exactly what they want. "

Clayton, change.org

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

Daniel, change.org

"Stop trying to censor & limit everyone! You can't just monoplize everything! "

Caulen, 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

"Android has long been the operating system that has allowed customization and freedom. It's the bedrock on why I use the platform. Taking away the ability to use FOSS and alternative sources just kills what makes Android Android for me. At that stage I might as well give in and get a blue bubble and better base privacy. Super disappointed in this direction. "

Jacob, change.org

"ts bullshit fr fr ive been tinkering with Android for a long long long time now and its part of the reason im even into tech so much. the sheer amount of freedom Android allows is truly amazing and so help me god if they take it away "

silly, change.org

"This will be the end of the android power user base, and will likely completely fracture things as open source os developers will be forced to do a complete fork. "

Matt, change.org

"Anyone from brazil here? "

Luis, change.org

"Like me and other out there we like to use apks to download apps for free and we should have the freedom to download whatever we want on to our android phones they are our phones and we can download what we want on them and to see Google taking away apks and the freedom of download apps is bad and Google are also taking away features from the recovery screen and we should be free to install whatever software we want on Androids like custom OSs and good wants to make it harder for developers to share their apps and projects and Google wants control over our devices and they want to control of what we can and cannot download we need to stop Google from doing this and spread the word "

Fynch tc, change.org

"I love the freedom to use whatever program APK I wish and Appl........Google wants to take that away from us? Expect lawsuits in your future. BTW I HATE the play store, F-Droid ALL THE WAY "

David, change.org

"i liked playing gta sa on my droid dont ruin some kids childhood "

Husam, change.org

"If I wanted to have my apps controlled by a mega corporation, I would have gotten an iPhone "

Eric, change.org

"This is really bad, Google needs to keep the OS open "

Mark, 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

"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

"Stop your control of people devices. "

Sally, change.org

"The actions of Google are asinine, and the fact the company is trying to do this is appalling. "

Grace, change.org

"i have apple, but it'll be so desperate if the people who use android to have to hand android your private and personal id, and even if i have android i am NOT handing android my private and personal id. over my dead body. "

Navell, change.org

"Android is not iOS, is monopoly becoming Android to iOS "

RallenPR, change.org

"Let's all join forces in this fight because freedom cannot be violated "

Fernando, change.org

"Take that away and you've destroyed Android. Google's trustworthiness is depths of hell low, and now you want even more control. Disgusting. The last bastion for Android was it's open freedoms compared to Apple, explicitly the ability to install apps without the store without verification. Allowing me to build and install my own creations. You must envision everyone in the entire world as some consumer archetype that just has feeding tubes of corporate sludge go into the consumers digestive tract. You can't imagine anyone innovating for fun not profit, making art and exploring science without corporate approvals. Your world is disgusting and I hate it. "

Aiden, change.org

"The only reason I use android vs ios is due to a nonlocked system. If google locks down apps as planned, ill more than likely move to ios. Ill happily recycle my pixel 9 "

Travis, change.org

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

John, change.org

"Personal freedom and technology literacy are two things that allowed me to become so interested in technology in the first place around 4 years ago, and neither of those things are possible without the ability to realize what your phone is doing when installing an app, as well as the ability to look at the code of an open-source app to see how it works. It is allegedly about security, but that is a very insignificant byproduct compared to the real reason you were compelled to introduce this change that applies retroactively, server-side, and to everyone with no manual override, and you have abandoned all pretense of even saying "we're just checking for malware in more places". You aren't even lying to us anymore! You already scan all apps for malware and force all users to go through a series of checkboxes to be able to install apps from alternate sources, which is more than enough guardrails for the hypothetical person you want to protect, who is so smart to not just download but install an APK, but so dumb they install malware and don't realize. For what? So 99% of people will notice nothing different about their device while 1% of people will lose everything that they care about? No, it's not about that. You know that you are turning a perfectly guarded town into a police state. There might be less unpunished crime by the citizens, but that comes at the cost of more state-sanctioned crime from power-tripping assholes wanting to do the king's bidding. But we are waking up to this fact. And even besides these dictatorial changes made due to unregulated business practices, these people in power wanting you to censor their opponents will soon be kicked out, and you will face accountability for these actions you have taken to support the worst of the worst when you had the power to do the opposite. Reverse this proposition, and we'll turn the crosshairs to someone else for now. Actively fight against the enshitification of technology itself, either by example or encouragement, and we will welcome you, because our side is correct and improves the human condition, so it will win. "

Cameron, change.org

"Without Youtube Revanced on my android phone in september 2026 i have to use official youtube and i hate it when google wants to make more money and everything and will have to kill the apk files ive enjoyed for a long time, even lucky patcher app owners will have to use their money on their favorite app to waste money and so much more...and by the news of the google update it makes me upset and angry about it. Im standing up to prove who i am and will be using youtube revanced app instead of official youtube app for people like me, i will never give up and will protest with other android users who are against google for our glory. #FreeAndroid #JusticeForAndroid #MakeGoogleGoneForever "

Leland, change.org

"The entire reason I have stuck with Android phones until now was my ability to INSTALL apps outside of the play store—key word install, not sideload. Even using that term is brainwashed lingo. A phone is just as much of a computer as a PC is, and I should be allowed to download whatever I want on a device a pay for. Especially when, in some cases, a laptop can be cheaper than a phone these days. This has always been a meaningful feature to me. Then there is the fact of censorship & creating a hostile environment for smaller dev teams. Having to pay a fee to Google, having to disclose IDs (this is also counterproductive to privacy focused apps). Any application that Google deems unfit, they can rip from the store. The 3rd party stores that Google will "let us" download from are no different from the Play Store. All those developers will still be subject to what Google is doing. If Android is going to become reskinned IOS, I would rather move to Apple. It's better optimized with many apps that absolutely DO NOT function near as well on Android or get updates way later than Apple. It's a smoother, cleaner product. Though, truly, I want to go to Motorola as they are planning to work with GrapheneOS which is privacy & security focused (which Google isn't! And this move is not making Android more secure!) These practices are anti-consumer AND anti-competition. Monopolistic, dirty practices. It's shameful that Google is still trying to act like they are an "open" system in the slightest while they actively shut out our ability to—again, INSTALL applications on our phone, which is essentially just a computer in our hands. Imagine if Windows did this, or even a Macbook. The free world is about having free choice, and this isn't that. I will absolutely be moving away from Android if this changes take effect. In the meantime, I'll take my in-app purchases to the actual websites behind them, use F-Droid & various places to download APKs to update in place of the Play Store. This is abhorent. TL;DR: Google is awful, hates consumer and developer freedoms, & yearns for censorship and growing it's monopolistic empire. I will be moving to any other phone if this happens. "

Jaden, 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

"This may look like a security improvement, safety measure or other goods ideas, but the truth is far from them! This is against our digital rights! It disrespects privacy of developers! It may cause good developers to cease existence in Android! Look for alternative Android OSes, or root your device!! "

Avique, 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

"No reason to own a google device if I am limited in what I can do with it. "

Salvatore, change.org

"This will be the death of android and Google is holding the gun. My entire attraction to android was the freedom. Now that this will potentially cease to exist, I have no problem finding another source of freedom. Google thinks they're being smart, but they are only killing themselves slowly. Android users everywhere must make sure google pays dearly for the abomination they are creating. "

Kevin, change.org

"Technology should forever remain in a position to assist and enrich the lives of everyone, not to control, limit, or profit from the average person who was PAID to own a product, and simply wishes to make their life easier. "

Evan, change.org

"It wasn’t enough to allow malicious apps on the Playstore, now they want to remove the one thing that makes someone want to use Android? And I haven’t even commented yet on the fact that they prevent users from exploring their own files freely (date, obb), and applications with security flaws that cannot be uninstalled. the situation does not seem to be good... But there is still hope "

Adonis, change.org

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

Daniel, change.org

"It is a fundamental right for everyone to be able to install whatever they want from wherever they want on any computer of theirs. "

Jim, change.org

"To quote Louis Rossmann: "A phone is essentially a computer, and you should have the autonomy to install whatever programs you want in your computer." (or something like that) Still, we can't deny that this is Google being petty for a multitude of reasons *cough* YouTube ADS *cough* and hopping aboard the "hand over your [government issued ID]" train in their own way. And apparently, they're going after our hardware with this one, since they just realized they can't prevent users from fiddling with software server-side. Again, there are plenty of privacy-invading and data-harvesting apps on the Play Store itself, but the data also goes to Google, so they're buddy-buddy on that. Anyway, you probably already know the rest of the script at this point. Now, onto my personal experience, I love the fact that I can install so many quality and useful open source apps made by developers who, (I'm probably underestimating here) sometimes, made those apps out of a personal need. Third party GApps front-ends, more tools than I can count, NewPipe forks, gallery apps that won't harvest data in the background — all of those, open source, with no trackers and no free data for Google, which is another reason why they're doing this. "

some dude, change.org

"Delusional to think this wouldn't shrink the number of users. "

Les, change.org

"Save Android !! Without it being open-source and freely usable, there *is* no good alternative to iOS, simply a mere copy of Apple's notoriously awful anti-consumer model. Personally, I won't stand for this blatantly money-focused and privacy-inhibiting change, and you shouldn't either! "

Brandon, 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

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

Caleb, change.org

"Google wanna eliminate biggest advantage of Android over iOS "

Misa, change.org

"Let open software environments stay open! Android has something unique that iOS does not, and it would be a shame to pursue the same locked-down “streamlined” experience. Personally, this change will stop me from purchasing an Android or Google device in the future, which is a shame because the open-environment nature of Android was the main appeal for me, and I know for many others. I believe this decision will alienate a large population of current, and potential future Android users. "

Ryan, change.org

"Are you not greedy enough? "

wesley, change.org

"As someone who has recenlty been looking into privacy. I hope we can limit big corporations hold on our personal lives. "

Ronald, change.org

"I use software that is not in the google play store. I want the freedom to use my phones. tablets, and other devices how I want them. "

Doug, change.org

"I have been using Android since the HTC G1, and I've never been so disappointed with the whole thing as I am now. I recognise that Google is doing it's best to keep malware and malicious software out of its app store, but for people who are capable of installing F-Droid, NeoStore or one of the other alternative stores, this is a disaster. Many applications I use are only available here, and with this plan from Google, I'll be unable to access tools, applications and services I use on a daily basis. "

Jon, change.org

"I signed this petition because Android’s strength has always been openness and user choice. Increasingly strict developer verification requirements risk pushing out independent and open-source developers who don’t operate as traditional businesses. Projects distributed through alternative app marketplaces like F-Droid are often volunteer-run, privacy-respecting, and community-driven. Burdensome verification rules disproportionately affect these small developers while large corporations can easily absorb the compliance costs. Security matters — but it shouldn’t come at the expense of innovation, competition, and open ecosystems. Android users deserve real choice, and independent developers deserve fair, proportionate requirements. I’m signing to support an open Android ecosystem for everyone. "

Luis, change.org

"I use Android because of it's ease of use. If this goes through, I will be installing a completely different OS. This is Microsoft forcing us to download Windows 11 all over again. "

Aden, change.org

"Being able to install "unverified" apps from third party app repositories has allowed me to discover ad-free software that fits my needs perfectly that aren't available on the Google Play store. Removing support for "unverified" apps would destroy all ability for me to use the phone I purchased how I see fit. "

Nella, change.org

"Google is Google's own worst enemy. If this goes through, I will never use any of their services ever again. GOOGLE IS A BAD ACTOR AND A BAD COMPANY! WHAT HAPPENED TO "DON'T BE EVIL"?!?! "

Ryan, change.org

"I've been an Android user for ever since i was 12, im about to be 30 now and i have never looked back, this is do to one main reason, freedom of choice. I always liked that i can install games and apps directly from developers most of the times. Is one of those things that set Android apart from iOS. Im not as tech savvy as some of my peers, but i do often show off the things i can do on my Android device that family and friends cant do on their iOS, so far i have been able to convince people to switch to Android and they have been enjoying the switch. I feel like iOS is finally catching up to Android in terms of customization features that Android has had for years now, but this decision to limit where i can get apps from would make the system just like iOS. I already quit from newer Samsung Galaxy devices since they got rid of features i still utilize to this day like the Headphone jack and Expandable storage. Today i use a Sony Xperia 1 V, which features both. I even did this personal experiment last year where i got an iPhone for 3 months to truly experience "the other side" and apart from getting use to the new User Interface (UI) the thought i kept having for those 3 months was "i cant get that one app im used to" or "i wish i could get this specific app, but is not on the App Store". When i finally got back to an Android phone the difference felt big, not only was i back to an UI i was so used to, i also didn't feel restricted from my choices in what apps i wanted to install. All and all, this decision to restrict Android users from where we can get our apps, is just another thing that i think will not longer set them apart from an iOS device, and there will be less reasons to choose an phone over the other, making them unexciting and eventually just all blend together. "

Anthony, change.org

"As an android user who picked android because of the principles and mission laid out by the AOSP, this is in direct violation of what the project was set out to do. Please do not do this, this hurts all consumers whether they realize it or not. "

Matthew, change.org

"Keep Android open to any app. I continue to use and develop for Android because it's the only mobile OS that allows me to install and use the software that I decide to use. I frequently develop software for me and my close friends. We need Android to stay open! "

Oleksandr, change.org

"Everything about this software/app lock out is beyond wrong. So is age verification. It is all beyond dystopian. George Orwell is spinning in his grave. My wife works in a major hospital and that hospital is already in a major panic because they have internal apps that can not be put out to apps stores for major security reasons. They have no idea what they are going to do when these apps stop working and can not be installed, used or updated because of these dystopian lockouts (i.e. blocking non app stores' apps from being installed; not to mention the major security risks of age verification). The app monitors many vital operations and medical equipment across three major medical facilities in the same hospital network; among branch facilities. It alerts staff and is used for many areas of communications in the hospital network. If this app can no longer be integrated into the hospital's operations network, the entirety of the hospital's facilities shuts down. I'm sure that if the hospital at which my wife works uses internal apps, then there are many other medical facilities that do also. A neighbor that I check on daily uses an app for necessary medical reasons. This app is not and will never be in any app store. Her doctors and the company that makes the device for thousands of people are in a panic. They can't just put this control/monitoring app out there. They would have to redesign the device's entire system and it could take several years. Plus, there are the major security risks. A friend has advanced diabetes and has a monitoring device stuck in his arm. The monitoring/alert app comes from the device manufacturer and not any app store. I also use medical apps that are not in any app store. I am also diabetic (not as badly as my friend) and disabled. There are several other people in my area that depend on medical apps that are not in any app store and are ONLY provided through a medical facility or medical device manufacturer. These companies do not put these apps out to these app stores for anyone to get their hands on for security reasons. If someone malicious got their hands on these medical device control apps, tampered with it, and re-uploaded it for patients to then obtain, thousands of patients could die. What am I and all these people that depend on proprietary and device specific medical apps across the country going to do when our apps/devices can't be installed or updated and just stop working? These dystopian app lock outs and the risks of age verification will put millions of peoples lives on the line and will have biblical level consequences. This all needs to stop immediately! "

John, change.org

"Goggle shouldn't limit our freedoms on our own devices for any reason "

Tristin, change.org

"As someone who enjoys playing modded versions of games, or even fan-games such as FNaF World: Refreshed, I feel as though limiting such use of apks is turning a blind eye. And forcing many people to reveal their real information, info that's sensitive in my opinion isn't safe. I used to feel safer and confine to android, but now I'm not really sure anymore if this is what you consider "safe". "

Ujjal, change.org

"This feels like bait and switch. Android has been the open alternative to iOS and that's a primary reason why I've chosen to support Android over the years. We don't have a viable truly free alternative like on the desktop, but Android is the best we've got. "

Sol, change.org

"Turning Android into Google is pathetic "

Scott, change.org

"No one is happy about this change. F-droid is infinitely more trustworthy than the play store, and does not need google prying into developers personal info to keep people safe. Being an open platform is the fundamental basis of android user's usage "

Cris, change.org

"Google, don't be evil. "

Eric, change.org

"are we really trying to iOs android? why are we trying to be the competition? if this occurs, android will LOSE so many users "

Ronin, change.org

"Keep Android Open "

Timothy, change.org

"Google is trying to remove any ownership of a device that I bought and paid for. If they wanted to make it some what more difficult to side load in order to prevent people accidentally installing non-reputable apps, that would be understandable, however there complete blocking of installing apps on my own device shows an irreverence for my personal property. "

Ryan, change.org

"I use open source apps from F Droid in place of stock apps because they require less permissions, use less resources and offer better theming and customization. The whole point of Android was supposed to be that you can do whatever you want on it as apposed to iOS. Sure, not everyone installs custom or third party apps, but why take the option away from people who do? "

Cory, change.org

"Google is essentially throwing away the mantle with this "anti consumer" strategy. Their just giving the masses a big--no, HUGE reason to largely rebel and replace their software with something less restrictive. You don't think it will happen, but it will... "

Xavier, change.org

"Android users need freedom. How many apps outside the app store help users who may have personal problems to have fun and distract themselves amidst so many problems? That's why freedom is important. "

Kaue, change.org

"What Google is doing seems awful to me; taking away the user's freedom to install any APK app they want is like forcing users to install whatever Google wants. It's deplorable. "

Pedro, change.org

"I am tired of massive corporations limiting us. I love using android because it is a modified linux kernal and I love using linux. I want android to stay open, android has not right to call itself linux if it will not stay open. "

Charlotte, 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

"Make the open source free for a sideloading app for downloading APKs. I need to download the APK for ReVanced patches and F-Droid. "

David, 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

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