4w ago

Google plans to begin verifying the identity of all developers who distribute apps on Android, even if it's outside the Play Store, starting September 2026

android-developers.googleblog.com

A new layer of security for certified Android devices

cross-posted from: https://programming.dev/post/36316138

54 comments

They're afraid of more ICE trackers
- Remember, it's important that technology and advancement only be used by capital, never by the underclass.
  
  Yeah, imagine a world where plebs had control over and ownership of the devices they use... (shudders)
Whatever the hell I do outside the playstore is none of Googles business and though this too is handwaved away by claiming improved security, we all know this has fuck all to do with security.
This is just again Google being a monopoly and wanting to stay that way by pushing out other developers
I guarantee you that newpipe devs will not be able to get verified, and now Google can block yet another app
Fuck. google. (Also apple and gicrosoft
- If you want improved security, use GrapheneOS.
  
  You know that not everyone can shell out 400 Euros on a phone, right?
I'm sure the newpipe devs are going to coincidentally not be allowed to be verified... Oops no YouTube viewer.... Ughhh...
- Fixed that....remove YouTube!
  
  As a backup I have installed YouTube as a PWA (added to home screen) from Fennec and installed uBlock, YouTube HD and Sponsorblock. It's good I even get recommendations but not as straightforward as NewPipe
  
  and how do you explain that to your family? you got off youtube, but they won't be happy.
Their 'verified' app store already has tons of fake malware apps being distributed on it, maybe they should clean up their act first.
OK, this sounds problematic. I don't see any obvious language for opting out and it doesn't seem there's intent to opt out. There's probably going to be a dev option to allow it but that would probably still make installing from sources like F-Droid impractical.
- there is already a dev option that users need to enable to use fdroid and such, and google wants to change that now. I doubt that they will just add a 2nd dev option, because that wouldn't change anything.
  
  It's not a dev option at the moment. It's a permission setting and it doesn't require enabling developer options.
- If you want to opt out, use alternative ROMs.
Without play service this won't get enforced right? Or will graphine os be affected? Its an monopoly power play anyways.
- Now, any device without Google Play Services will be totally unaffected. Any device with Google Play Services will be fucked.
  
  I regret buying a Pixel.
- Lovely, thank you for this. I've left my feedback, and I hope many, many other people do as well.
  
  All he said was removed by mod? What are you thanking him for?
  
  That is my hope as well.
and what happens for trans ppl who live in areas that make it impossible to get a matching id google? fuck off with this "we're protecting you" bullshit
Is there any explanation why this will be effective? Like, "if we find a malware app, we will do this and that to the author's personal data, and it will help you in that way" etc.
- What personal data? They will invalidate this dev's cert and ban him from getting a new one.
  
  Should that help people who were unfortunate to install that malware before the dev is banned? Also how exactly do they hope to identify the dev as already banned if he tries to register again?
I'm praying that there's a toggle like for play protect
I don't want an iOS clone
@Pro get #Pixel7Pro its decent and can get it 2nd hand for 200 bucks unfortunately right now #GrapheneOS only supports pixel phones (strange enough)
- @wordmark @Pro It is not GrapheneOS that only supports Pixel phones; it is other Android devices that do not meet the standard security requirements of the GrapheneOS project.
  GrapheneOS is a project focused on privacy and security on mobile devices. The devices supported by the project must use all standard security features, maintain firmware security updates, etc. This is part of what sets GrapheneOS apart from other projects that claim to be concerned with security and privacy, but are essentially just engaging in misleading marketing.
  Here is the list of requirements for a mobile device to be officially compatible with GrapheneOS :
  https://grapheneos.org/faq#future-devices
  For now, only Pixel phones meet these requirements.
  Since GrapheneOS is open-source, it is technically possible to build it yourself on an unsupported device, but you will not get an official version of GrapheneOS and you will not get support if you encounter problems. If GrapheneOS is running on an end-of-life device that no longer receives security updates, it doesn't matter if it's GrapheneOS, it's not secure.
  GrapheneOS is currently working with an OEM/ODM to offer a few devices that are natively compatible with GrapheneOS.
Good thing I use custom ROMs.
- This isn't about you.
  Also this kind of liberal argument of, 'The gestapo cannot catch me because I bought skates!' is stupid and tiring.
  
  It is precisely about me and a small group of technical users who care about freedom. The rest of the users, that's strictly their own problem. If the gestapo outlaws skates and I can't get them on the black market and the society is fine with concentration camps that's also allright. I'm too old to care.

54 comments