This is fucking terrifying: Google is implementing Android Developer Verification, a program that would require all developers to register with Google before distributing apps on Android starting September 2026. There is a widely-circulated narrative that Google already backed down from this. They didn't, and that misunderstanding may be the most dangerous part of the story right now.
This will kill open source. This will make it easier for governments to ban apps. This will mean apps will have to abide by what Google deems acceptable.
Also, deleting Google Play Store does NOT mean you're safe from this. YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DOWNLOAD AN UNVERIFIED APP ON YOUR ANDROID PHONE, PERIOD. To use an example from the video: it's the equivalent of preventing you from installing a .exe on your computer.
Google is controlling more and more. This is censorship. Fuck this shit.
More info here: keepandroidopen.org. They have a list of worldwide national regulators you can contact to lodge a complaint.
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