هاتفك لن يعود ملكاً لك.

67 الأيام المتبقية للإيقاف

بدءًا من عام 2027*، ستطرح جوجل تحديثا صامتا بلا موافقة المستخدم لمنع تثبيث اي تطبيق لم يقوم مطوره بالتسجيل مع جوجل، وقع عقدا معهم، وسلمهم وثائق التعريف الخاصة به.

كل تطبيق وكل جهاز، في جميع أنحاء العالم، بدون خيار الإنسحاب ورفض التحديث!

↓

ما الذي تفعله جوجل؟

في أغسطس 2025، أعلنت جوجل عن متطلب جديد: بدءًا من عام 2027، يجب على كل مطور تطبيقات أندرويد التسجيل مركزيًا مع جوجل قبل أن يمكن تثبيت برمجياتهم على أي جهاز. ليس فقط تطبيقات متجر بلاي: جميع التطبيقات. يشمل هذا التطبيقات المشتركة بين الأصدقاء، والموزعة عبر F-Droid، والمبنية بواسطة الهواة للاستخدام الشخصي. المطورون المستقلون، و الجمعيات الاهلية و المبادرات المجتمعية، والهواة على حد سواء سيتم منعهم من القدرة على تطوير وتوزيع برمجياتهم.

التسجيل يتطلب:

إذا لم يمتثل المطور لهذه الطلبات، سيتم حظر تطبيقاته بصمت على كل جهاز أندرويد حول العالم.

من يأذي هذا؟

أنت

لقد اشتريت هاتف أندرويد لأن جوجل أخبرتك أنه مفتوح. كان بإمكانك تثبيت ما تريد، وكان هذا هو الاتفاق.

جوجل تقوم الآن بإعادة كتابة تلك الصفقة بأثر رجعي على الأجهزة التي تمتلكها بالفعل. بعد وصول التحديث، يمكنك فقط تشغيل البرامج التي وافقت جوجل عليها مسبقًا. على هاتفك: ملكك، الذي دفعت ثمنه

المطورون المستقلون

أول تطبيق لمراهق، أداة خصوصية لمتطوع، أو نسخة تجريبية داخلية سرية لشركة. لا يهم. في عام 2027، لا يمكن تثبيت أي من هذه دون موافقة جوجل.

F-Droid، الموطن لآلاف تطبيقات أندرويد المجانية والمفتوحة المصدر، وصف هذا بأنه "تهديد وجودي". يسميه كوري دكتوروف "Darth Android".

الحكومات والمجتمع المدني

لدى جوجل سجل موثق في الامتثال عندما تطلب الأنظمة الاستبدادية إزالة التطبيقات. مع هذا البرنامج، ستظل البرمجيات التي تُشغل مؤسسات بلدك قائمة وفقًا لإرادة شركة أجنبية واحدة غير خاضعة للمساءلة.

تصف منظمة EFF عملية التحكم في التطبيقات بأنها "مسار متسع باستمرار للرقابة على الإنترنت".

"منفذ الهروب" الخاصة بجوجل هو فخ

تقول جوجل إن "المستخدمين المتمرسين" يمكنهم تثبيت التطبيقات غير الموثقة. إليكم كيف يبدو ذلك فعليًا:

  1. تعمق في إعدادات النظام، وابحث عن خيارات المطور
  2. اضغط على رقم الإصدار سبع مرات لتمكين وضع المطور
  3. تجاهل شاشات تخويف بشأن التعرض للضغط أو الإجبار
  4. أدخل رمز PIN
  5. أعد تشغيل الجهاز
  6. انتظر 24 ساعة
  7. عُدْ، وأغلق المزيد من شاشات التحذير التخويف
  8. اختر "السماح مؤقتاً" (7 أيام) أو "السماح بشكل دائم"
  9. أكّد مرة أخرى أنك تفهم "المخاطر"

تسع خطوات. فترة انتظار إلزامية لمدة 24 ساعة. لتثبيت برامج على جهاز تملكه.

والأسوأ: هذه العملية تعمل بالكامل من خلال خدمات Google Play، وليس نظام أندرويد. يمكن لجوجل تغييرها أو تشديدها أو إنهاؤها في أي وقت، دون الحاجة إلى تحديث النظام ودون الحاجة إلى موافقة.

هذا أكبر من أندرويد

إذا كان بإمكان جوجل أن تغلق بأثر رجعي مليارات الأجهزة التي تم بيعها كمنصات مفتوحة، فإن كل مصنع للأجهزة على الكوكب يراقب.

المبدأ الذي يتم إرساؤه: الشركة التي صنعت جهازك هي التي تقرر، بعد أن تشتريه، أي البرامج مسموح لك بتشغيلها. في عالم البرمجيات، يُسمى هذا "سحب البساط"؛ لكن على الأقل كان بإمكانك دائمًا تثبيت برامج منافسة. أما في عالم الأجهزة، فهو أمر واقع يجردك من قدرتك ويجعلك تنخضع لأهواء وصيّ واحد غير مسؤول واحتكاري مُدان.

انفتاح أندرويد لم يكن يومًا مجرد ميزة. لقد كان الوعد الذي ميّزه عن الآيفون. اختار الملايين أندرويد لهذا السبب بالذات. جوجل الآن تلغي هذا الوعد من جانب واحد، على الأجهزة التي هي بالفعل في جيوب الناس، لأنهم قرروا أن لديهم سيطرة كافية على السوق وتأثيرًا تنظيميًا يسمح لهم بالقيام بذلك.

Ars Technica: "غيرة جوجل من آبل تهدد بتفكيك الإرث المفتوح لنظام أندرويد."

لكن انتظر، أليس هذا...

"...فقط من أجل الأمان؟"

مبرر الأمن ليس إلا ذريعة. يقوم Google Play Protect بالفعل بفحص البرمجيات الضارة بصرف النظر عن هوية المطور. طلب بطاقة هوية حكومية لا يجعل الكود أكثر أمانًا، بل يجعل المطورين قابلين للتحديد والتحكم. يمكن لصانعي البرمجيات الضارة التسجيل بسهولة، بينما غالبًا ما يعجز عن ذلك المطورون المستقلون والمعارضون. منظمة EFF صريحة: التحكم في الوصول بناءً على الهوية هو أداة رقابة، لا أداة أمان.

"...لا يزال بإمكاني التثبيت الجانبي إذا استخدمت المسار المتقدم؟"

تسع خطوات، انتظار 24 ساعة، مدفون في خيارات المطور، يعمل عبر خدمة مملوكة يمكن لجوجل إلغاؤها متى شاءت. هذا ليس تثبيتًا جانبيًا. هذه آلية ردع صُممت لضمان أن لا يكملها أحد تقريبًا. ولأنها تعمل عبر خدمات Play بدلاً من نظام التشغيل، يمكن لجوجل تشديدها أو إيقافها بصمت.

"...مشكلة فقط إذا كان لديك ما تخفيه؟"

المُبلِّغون عن المخالفات، والصحفيون، والناشطون تحت الأنظمة الاستبدادية سيكونون أول الضحايا. ضحايا العنف الأسري يأتون بعدهم مباشرة. لدى جميع هؤلاء أسباب مشروعة لتوزيع البرامج أو استخدامها دون وضع هويتهم القانونية في قاعدة بيانات جوجل. المساهمة في البرمجيات مفتوحة المصدر باسم مستعار تقليد أقدم من جوجل نفسها. هذه السياسة تضع حدًا لها على أندرويد.

"...نفس ما تفعله آبل؟"

آبل كانت حديقة مسوّرة منذ اليوم الأول. اختار الناس أندرويد لأنه كان مختلفًا. "آبل تفعل ذلك أيضًا" هو تسابق نحو القاع وحجة ضعيفة من نوع أنت أيضًا. وتحت الضغط التنظيمي (قانون الأسواق الرقمية الأوروبي)، حتى آبل تُجبر على الانفتاح. أما جوجل فتسير في الاتجاه المعاكس: تحاول ترسيخ دورها كحارس بوابة أكثر فأكثر.

"...مجرد 25 دولارًا وبعض الأوراق؟"

ربما، إن كنت مطورًا في الولايات المتحدة تملك بطاقة ائتمان ورخصة قيادة. لكن جرّب أن تكون طالبًا في أفريقيا جنوب الصحراء، أو معارضًا في ميانمار، أو متطوعًا يشرف على تطبيق صحة مجتمعية. التكلفة ليست مالية فحسب: أنت تسلّم هويتك الحكومية وإثبات مفاتيح توقيعك لشركة تمتثل بشكل اعتيادي لمطالب الحكومات بإزالة التطبيقات وكشف هوية المطورين.

قاوم

للجميع

للمطورين

لا تسجّل. لا تنضم إلى البرنامج بالتسجيل في Android Developer Console والموافقة على شروطهم وأحكامهم غير القابلة للإلغاء. لا تُثبت هويتك. لا تنصاع لهم.

.خطة جوجل لا تنجح إلا إذا امتثل المطورون. لا تمتثل.

لموظفي جوجل

إذا كنت تعلم شيئًا عن التنفيذ التقني للبرنامج أو المبرر الداخلي له، تواصل مع tips@keepandroidopen.org من جهاز غير عملك وحساب غير Gmail. السرية التامة مضمونة.

جميع المعارضين…

وقّعت 71 منظمة من 23 دولة على الرسالة المفتوحة

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

اقرأ الرسالة المفتوحة كاملة و اشكر الموقّعين →

ماذا يقولون

الصحافة التقنية

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

I-Programmer

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

The Register

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

Android Headlines

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

Ars Technica

"'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 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

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

Reclaim The Net

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

TechRepublic

"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 Clamps down On Android's Openness"

Internet Freedom Foundation (India)

"Google's Android developer verification program draws pushback"

InfoWorld

"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

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

Android Headlines

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

Bleeping Computer

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

9to5Google

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

Infosecurity Magazine

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

It's FOSS News

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

Hackaday

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

Android Headlines

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

How-To Geek

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

Tuta Blog

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

Benzinga

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

Techdirt

"Keep Android Open"

Linux Magazine

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

TechSpot

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

Techzine EU

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

How-To Geek

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

Cybernews

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

heise online

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

MakeUseOf

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

How-To Geek

"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

"An 'existential' threat to alternative app stores"

The New Stack

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

How-To Geek

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

Thom Holwerda, OSnews

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

Gizmochina

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

The Verge

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

TechCrunch

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

XDA Developers

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

The Register

افتتاحيات وتحليلات

منظمات ورسائل مفتوحة

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

Brave

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

Tuta

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

Tuta

"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

"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

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

F-Droid Open Letter

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

Tech-ish Kenya

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

AdGuard

"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

"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

"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

"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

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

ACLU

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

Brave

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

Electronic Frontier Foundation

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

AdGuard

"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

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

F-Droid

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

Nextcloud

"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

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

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

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

Nextcloud

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

European Parliament

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

F-Droid

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

European Pirate Party

"Google's 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

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

Tuta

يوتيوبرز وصنّاع المحتوى

"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 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 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

"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 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

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

fireborn – Blog

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

Linus Sebastian, LMG Clips – YouTube

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

ChiefGyk3D – YouTube

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

The Linux Experiment – YouTube

"The 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

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

Tuta Blog – Blog

"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

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

SomeOrdinaryGamers (Mutahar) – 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

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

SomeOrdinaryGamers (Mutahar) – YouTube

"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 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

"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 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

"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

"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

"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

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

fireborn – Blog

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

ChiefGyk3D – YouTube

"This 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

المطورون والمجتمع

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

askonomm, Hacker News

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

gthing, Reddit

"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

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

Zak, Lemmy

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

anordal, Lobsters

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

gcupc, Lobsters

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

WaffleMonster, Slashdot

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

TheTearMiser, 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

"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

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

Zak, Hacker News

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

gumby271, Hacker News

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

Max-P, 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

"Give me liberty or give me Symbian."

masterofn001, Lemmy

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

yonato, Hacker News

"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

"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

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

hbn, 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

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

Apocryphon, Hacker News

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

flykespice (developer in Brazil), Hacker News

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

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

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

nibbleyou (developer in India), Hacker News

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

girvo, Hacker News

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

specproc, Hacker News

"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

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

llitz, Reddit

"Google 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

"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

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

BenjaminRi, Lobsters

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

lynxy, Tildes

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

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

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

mwcampbell, Lobsters

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

1995ToyotaCorolla, Lemmy

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

layfellow, 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

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

vala, Lemmy

"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

"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

"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

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

wervenyt, Tildes

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

paxys, Hacker News

"If 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

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

Tiraon, Tildes

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

tejtm, Hacker News

"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

"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

"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

"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

"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

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

BenjaminRi, 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

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

survirtual, Hacker News

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

afferi300rina, Hacker News

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

hn92726819, Hacker News

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

MrZander, Hacker News

أصوات من العريضة

"The APK file structure is just a file that installs a package, like an EXE on Windows or a variety of extensions for Linux executable files. Our phones are ours, and they are computers; we should be allowed to treat them as ours and not be beholden to big tech deciding how to use our devices for us, we want to own our hardware and use it as we see fit. Give us our devices back and keep Android open! That was the entire appeal for Android dominating the market to begin with! If Android stops being open then there would be no difference between buying an Android and buying an iPhone anymore. "

Nicholas, change.org

"Bro, Google is screwing up with this. Developers and emulators are going to be screwed. They're going to end up ruining the freedom we had and turning it into iOS 2. They're doing everything wrong. "

Facundo, change.org

"Big tech companies are more and more trying to restrict users and make them use their services. Anti-competitive practices are bad for the market and for the end user, so i definitely DO NOT support what google is doing. "

QByte, change.org

"I am not a developer, just a regular apk user, and the fact that google is trying to remove a vital part of android is crazy "

Gilberto David, change.org

"Android had one advantage over iPhone, that you owned the product that you purchased via being able to download software of which you please. Ruining this feature will not only hurt consumer rights, but will drive many people away. "

Anthony, change.org

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

Draken, change.org

"I value the open source initiative deeply. I believe that Google putting up barricades to make this harder to access and use for developers and consumers alike is an act against the freedom of the open source initiative. "

Samuel, change.org

"android open source project (AOSP) open source! the google its destroying "open source spirit" "

enzo, change.org

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

Noah, change.org

"What Google wants to do is simply inhumane, simply unacceptable for those who use our beloved Android. "

Althe, change.org

"We should be able to do what we want with the devices we own. Locking everyone into only downloading from the google playstore will just create the walled garden that iPhone has already. "Sideloading" shouldn't be viewed as a bad thing, or something you shouldnt do. Its the same as downloading something on a computer. Im just downloading software on my phone. Imagine if they blocked you being able to downloading anything outside of the Microsoft Store on Windows. This needs to be stopped. The main (and basically only reason) I get an android phone is to have control over it. If this is removed from hs I will have no reason not to use an iPhone instead. "

Steven, change.org

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

Hugo, change.org

"For a large portion of Android users, the freedom and openness of the OS is why they choose to use it in the first place. I can certainly say for myself that if this goes through, I will no longer use Android as my smartphone OS. Enshittification like this will only cause Android to lose market share and will be destructive in the long run. "

Nawton, 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

"After this decision I will just go with iPhone, this was the only reason I was using Android, just making it worse for the consumer, this is not about security but locking down people's choice of store, which in my opinion should be illegal give that we bought our phones and we should be able to do with them as we please "

Colin, change.org

"Remember, "DON'T BE EVIL." These are still worthy and wise words to live by. Don't be a competition crushing monopoly, driven by the love of money and power which, is the root of much evil. With wisdom and awareness, operate according to the principles of enlightened self-interest, acting in the world with peace and virtue in order to more readily manifest Heaven on Earth, Our Earth in Heaven. Let us be good for our own sake if not for goodness sake. "

Mark, change.org

"Being able to install what you want on your device is the main selling point of android, I'll fully switch to something else if this change is made "

Luna, change.org

"If I wanted my phone to be a prisoner in a fascist dictatorship I'd have an iPhone. I've been thinking about degoogling my life, maybe now is the time to do it. "

Karl, change.org

"Tudo e todos vamossss "

Renato, change.org

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

Boris, change.org

"When I purchase a device I have the right to own it. Otherwise why pay for it. We already disclose ID and pay Google for apks. We chose android over apple only due to the freedom that used to be. If you do not back off all of us will ditch our androids and apple as we do not need more stalking in our lives. People have been creative you know. 🫥 "

S, change.org

"To late to close pandoras box. This is why we have all been android users. Apple sucks don't be apple. "

Jenni, change.org

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

C., change.org

"The tight to sideload software is a central feature that sets Android apart from iphone. Without it you can expect Android marketers to drop as users like me shift to Linux phones and Android alternatives. "

Richard, change.org

"Yeah let's remove the one thing keeping people on Android 🤨 "

Bobby, change.org

"The advantage of Android is precisely its freedom to choose what to do with your system and applications, just as developers have the freedom to choose where to distribute. Please do not limit the installation of APKs. There is already a warning and optional block for “unknown” apps where we currently have choices. Do not trade freedom for a false sense of security! "

Matheus, change.org

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

Benjamin, change.org

"This solution simply doesn't make sense. It's not our fault, or the fault of all developers, that people don't know what to do to verify or install an application that isn't malicious. In my opinion, this should come enabled normally on new smartphones, but with a developer option to disable it. You don't have to complicate everything and force us to use an adb command just to install an unverified application. That simply doesn't exist. I provided the solution. "

Saulo, change.org

"Terms and conditions work both ways. Google cannot simply violate their end of the bargain like this. "

Katrina, change.org

"Android's freedom was one of the reasons it attracted so many users, and now they want to take that freedom away? That's like shitting on your customer's plate, the one who helped you get there where is it. "

Kelwiny, change.org

"This policy shift is concerning for developers. Android has always stood out because of its openness — the freedom to build and distribute apps without excessive barriers. Requiring mandatory verification and charging fees adds friction that especially impacts independent and small developers. I understand the intention may be to reduce piracy, malware, or improve security. However, raising entry barriers risks weakening the very ecosystem that made Android strong in the first place. Innovation depends on accessibility and low compliance costs. Also, Google Play Store has been historically ineffective regarding security issues on their own marketplace. Restrictive distribution policies can also create unintended consequences. When official channels become too restrictive or expensive, users may turn to unofficial modifications like rooting or other system-level workarounds. That does not improve security — it may actually increase fragmentation and vulnerability. Even Microsoft never needed to impose this level of control on Windows to remain competitive. Decisions like this could accelerate the growth of alternative Linux-based operating systems and, over time, undermine Android’s dominance in the global market. "

João, 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

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

Jazmin, change.org

"Literally the only reason I swapped to android years ago was because it had freedoms that iPhones didn't. I may as well swap back if this is how things are going. "

Robert, 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

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

Logan, change.org

"Google is pushing for literally the antithesis of what android alaways promised to be and actually was. This is extremely concerning, it involves and affects ALL people, not just devs. If Google don't back down and the lock down actually happens, who knows how much would it take for them to also start deciding which apps you're ALLOWED to install on YOUR phone. This is the beginning of the path to total user control. WE HAVE TO ACT NOW. "

Raymundo Iván, change.org

"Android has always been about freedom. "

ben, change.org

"One of the few remaining features that Android provides over it's completion is a relatively open ecosystem for app development. Having to sign all apps through Google kills any motivation to have fun and develop apps for yourself and friends. Let's be honest, Android is not the best mobile operations stream. Openness was it's advantage. With that soon to be gone, there will be very little holding people back from switching over to Apple. "

Terence, change.org

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

Isaac, change.org

"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

"Stop this bullshit of trying to control our lives, deciding what I can and can't do. Enough with planned obsolescence, enough with authoritarianism. I, and only I, decide what's best for me, what I can and can't download on MY PHONE. "

Leonardo, change.org

"This is a disturbing move by Google. Side loading needs to remain an option for Android users to choose as an alternative when looking for apps made by developers that are not in the PlayStore. Side loading is also invaluable when wanting to utilise previous versions of apps on an Android device. "

Bruce, change.org

"Google, as a US based company, is trying to seize control over who can and who cannot create applications for Android. If you purchase a phone, you should be able to use it however you see fit. But now, if you want to develop a simple app for your daily use or for a small project that doesn't strictly align with Google or the US government's agenda, you could be denied the right to install it and even persecuted or doxxed. "

Ivan, change.org

"We should be allowed to do what we want with the tools that we buy. "

kevin, change.org

"Android already provides security tools — Play Protect, install warnings, and permissions. These are the right solutions. A blanket lockdown is not security; it is control! "

Alex, change.org

"Its important to me that developers aren't forced to give away personally identifiable information to any agency, private or public. Google shouldn't have the right to require you to give up your GOVERNMENT ID in order to make an app. "

Alex, change.org

"Being an open platform has been one of the key defining features of Android. The ability to install and use any apps regardless of their origin is not a privilege, it is a right. By allowing one entity to say what we as users can or can not use our devices for is another link in the chain that binds and restricts all our freedoms. "

Andrew, change.org

"This is exactly why I will NEVER use Apple *anything* not even movies on Apple TV. I've championed Android since it first came on the scene in my 25+ years of work in the wireless industry because of the open source nature of Android. It is also why I have switch all my devices but one to Linux in place of Windows (They have forever lost my support). Open source matters. It's also what sets Android apart from Apple. I will absolutely not purchase another Android device going forward if it is no longer open source. I have no problem falling back to a basic phone and running open source OSes on my PC, gaming handhelds and the like. This, to me, feels akin to the idea of the United States just erasing the first amendment. I doubt words will change your mind, but my dollars will back my opinion. It's sad that Google has decided to go this route. You've fallen so far since the beginning. I remember getting my Gmail account with beta invite. I remember being happy to see Google become a publicly traded company. I fear now I'll remember how Google became a huge disappointment. At least it's an interesting story seeing first hand the rise and fall of a search engine who's name became a verb because it was so superior. To just become a huge bully to the types of users that propped you up from the start. Of course jailbreaking will happen but how does that improve security? How does that differentiate you from the competition? "

Jeremy, change.org

"If android truly blocks what are some of my favorite apps from developers I trust, I will no longer be using "smart" phones without root. It'll be graphine or flip phones, I promise you. "

R, change.org

"Google is nothing short of an evil pig! We want free android! "

James, 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

"For the freedom of an open and universal system for all! "

Zaphyru's, 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

"Products should be made to give the consumer control of the product they purchase. They should not be used for the corporation that manufactured the product to control the consumer use of that product or what the consumer has access to. This is a form of controlled speech and is a violation of the first amendment of the United States of America. "

Mitch, change.org

"Google's attempt to prevent outside app installation on Android is very concerning. Only allowing approved developers will make it so developers will feel less inclined to make new apps. Additionally, this should raise antitrust laws into full affect as there ownership over android and attempted control over the whole market of phones that use the android ecosystem is very wrong. "

Joey, change.org

"google, queremos continuar livres! "

Vitor, change.org

"I make little tools for myself and little games for my son, I don't usually distribute apps and when I do it is for free with no ads. Adding a license, divulging personal info and a cost to Android development will make me leave the platform. Allow people to use their computing devices the way they want, don't be evil. "

Paul, change.org

"The device that you bought that you own should not have any restrictions added after the purchase of what you can or cannot download onto said device. What (Google) is trying to do is going directly against that. "

Emilie, change.org

"This is crazy. Stop this madness. We pay for our devices and should have the right to install whatever software we like without verification. Keeping us safe with regulation is not the answer. Stop the madness and keep android open. "

Steven, 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

"Take away the freedom of Android, and you'll lose the majority of your userbase. Seems like a smart move! "

Evan, change.org

"This isn't safety, it's simply control. This hasn't been an issue for years. "

James, 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

"the declaration of independance prolly said something about this... "

john, change.org

"Most of the apps I use are not on the play store! "

Samuel, change.org

"The whole reason I've stuck with android so long is because of how many choices I had compared to other options. Now they are trying to get rid of them and for what? The only thing they gain by doing this is their customers ire and I don't want to sit and let something so predatory just get passed like this. "

Logan, change.org

"I am the founder of Yale Privacy Lab, where we have investigated privacy and security issues in Android apps since 2017. I can say without hesitation that this change makes Android users less safe. Android is based upon free and open source software (FOSS) and that has always been defined by user choice. Blocking the capability to install apps directly from trusted sources outside Google Play is not a small tweak. It removes a core freedom. We should not need permission to run software on devices we own. Framing this change as protection does not reflect the reality of the Android ecosystem. Google Play has long allowed unsafe apps, invasive tracker SDKs, and supply chain threats that slip through automated review. Independent audits have consistently revealed these issues inside of Google Play, even *after* Google claims to have scrubbed. For example, the X-mode SDK persisted long after it was banned in the USA by the FTC enforcement action, and was still present in many Google Play apps until Google was called out by my own investigation. Initially, Google responded by saying I was wrong but then acknowledged their error in press. Long after that, other tracker SDKs associated with X-mode and the wider ad-tech surveillance economy have persisted. In many cases, the safer and more privacy-conscious option is to use F-Droid to install apps. F-Droid is just one organization that is much more serious than Google about checking the safety of their catalog of apps. Sometimes, the safest option is installing APKs directly from trusted developers. These methods can avoid ad trackers, surveillance code, and unwanted data sharing. To cut off these options is to put many activists, journalists, whistleblowers, and ordinary users at risk. "

Sean, change.org

"I am a long-time Android user that heavily relies on sideloaded apps for my everyday phone usage. I ask that you reconsider the decision to make app sideloading impossible as it would be a slap in the face to everything Android has represented for all these years. Freedom to use apps from varying sources has always been a huge selling point for Android -- and it's a big reason why many don't involve themselves in Apple's ecosystem. In addition, forcing developers to lose their anonymity for the promise of greater security does not seem to be an appropriate tradeoff. I ask that you consider an alternative course of action for the sake of your user base. "

Chris, change.org

"Apple would be the only entity to benefit from this change. The ability to side load apps and to support (and greatly benefit from) the FOSS community are the only meaningful reasons that anyone would choose to have an Android phone. "

Jake, change.org

"People who choose Android over Apple do so because Android offers the freedom to install apps freely and develop apps as a hobby. I think that if they remove access to APKs, I'll switch to Apple, and I think most people will do the same. "

Alexis, change.org

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

manz, change.org

"Why would you change what is by far the most appealing aspect of your operating system? Why would you choose to take the thing that set Google apart from Apple and imitate them? A locked down, dumbed down, "My way or the highway" approach to your user base is insulting, and now people will be desperately trying to find out create a new option, and you'll have no way to compare favorably even against your biggest competitor because you're choosing to be in the same boat. "

Michael, change.org

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

Fawks, change.org

"This is bad for the consumer "

Swargin, change.org

"I keep memories of my life in open free apps. I can't lose all of that. Android needs to be as it has been until now. "

Javier, change.org

"SKYNET HAS INITIATED WWIII :( "

Daniel Alberto, 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

"I made the choice to use top tier devices that run Android OS because it gives me the freedom to customize my device to my wants, likes, and needs. This is a HUGE deciding factor for any items I, and many others, choose to purchase. "Can I make it mine?" As the de facto IT team-of-one where I work (A small all natural deodorant manufacturer that is currently the quickest growing and is becoming one of top rated brands in the US), people ask me about everything tech. I unequivocally recommended Android devices to the everyday "not-hacking-my-devices" person, and even to those that are techno-wizards. The ability to embrace the freedoms of style, function, usability, and privacy are indispensable in tech. The reasons being: You are not locked into an ecosystem that extorts money from its users and developers, while limiting the functions available to you. You can customize the system to your needs or wants. Less so now that before, but it's still doable and reasonably fun for most. Yet, MOST IMPORTANTLY, it gives you the freedom of creativity and discovery! These devices have the potential to do so much; and as users we have the potential to create so many amazing things! Maybe just for ones own amusement, just to see what they can make, or to discover new skills and challenges. Within that though, there is the potential to create something that changes people's lives, be it just entertainment or something far more significant. By limiting the ability to develop and customize the services you limit the concept of the device. By locking down the system you are locking down growth and the potential of many curious minds. "

Elizabeth, change.org

"This change will kill one of the biggest reasons to go Android-the freedom to choose what software YOU want to run. Without this freedom, Android becomes significantly less differentiable to iOS, and NOT in a good way. "

Muhammad, change.org

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

Shibe, change.org

"Android for me has always been the freedom to choose. The right to find alternatives that won't actively gather my information. I want to keep my freedom. I trust my open source small developers more than I trust corporations who put profit over my rights. "

Yeshua, 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

"Being able to get softwares and actually having device freedom is why I have always chosen android over apple. No freedom means that I can't do things I want to on my phone or any android device, which is the point of me buying android "

Zaiden, change.org

"The freedom and flexibility was literally the reason I never owned an iPhone. It's like Google wants me to use Ubuntu Touch or something... "

Katrina, change.org

"I don't think that we should be filtered into buying something we do not want. Something as simply as a weather app should be free, news should be free, but the services that's being offered in app stores as free is usually filled with ads that leak personal information. "

Andre, change.org

"Screw that! "

Thierry, change.org

"Keep android open. Keep android from becoming Apple! "

Adam, change.org

"This policy would put developers at risk. This isn't safety, it's censorship. "

Teagan, change.org

"It's disappointing that Google wants to take away the only good thing about Android. I said it last time and I'll say it again: if they do it, I'm switching to Apple. There won't be any difference anyway. "

Rubén, change.org

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

Jeffrey, change.org

"Keep Android from being like Apple controlling every aspect of what can be installed or not, that's why i don't own iPhones never will. If android is going in the same direction ill get a flip phone I don't need big brother telling me what i can do or can't on my phone, i worked hard to pay for! in the name of safety always same bullshit excuse when they want to violate people's rights... "

melvyn, change.org

"This is a tragedy, it won't stop bad intentions, it will only put our data at risk, and many apps will become lost media. "

Jessé, change.org

"The only way for android to compete with Apple is to allow side loading apps. If you remove this what is the selling point of ANDROID! "

Kendall, change.org

"The only reason I've stuck with Android all these years has been its open ecosystem. If that's removed, I'd switch to Apple in a heartbeat. "

Anjali, change.org

"As a user STOP! What made me choose Android over iOS is the openness of it. By doing this you are killing what make android great, the fact that everyone can make an app and load it on his phone. You don't have iOS fan base. We will go elsewhere. "

marie-france, change.org

"Bora solar esses miserentos "

GATO, change.org

"We can't back down "

Victor Vitienzo, change.org

"At that point highkey I'd just use IOS. Why remove one of the main things that lets android be android "

Josue, change.org

"Please dont let die the FOSS community and github hobby projects. "

Nondibianno Ambar, change.org

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