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2027*'den itibaren, Google kullanıcıya sormadan göndereceği sessiz bir güncelleme ile, Google'a kayıtlı olmayan, sözleşmeyi imzalamayan, ücreti ödemeyen ve resmi kimliğini vermeyen geliştiricilerin tüm Android uygulamalarını engelleyecek.

İstisnasız: dünyadaki tüm cihazlar ve tüm uygulamalar.

Google ne yapıyor?

Google, Ağustos 2025'te yeni planını duyurdu: 2027'den itibaren her Android uygulama geliştiricisi, yaptığı uygulama herhangi bir cihaza kurulmadan önce Google'a kayıt olmak zorunda. Yalnızca Play Store uygulamaları değil, tüm uygulamalar. Buna arkadaşlar arasında paylaşılan uygulamalar, F-Droid üzerinden dağıtılanlar ve hobi amaçlı kişisel projeler de dahil. Bağımsız geliştiriciler, kilise ve topluluk grupları, hobiciler... hepsi uygulama geliştirme ve dağıtım sürecinin dışına itilecek.

Kayıt için gerekenler:

Eğer bir geliştirici kayıt olmazsa, uygulamaları dünya genelindeki tüm Android cihazlarda sessiz sedasız bir şekilde engellenecek.

Kimleri vuruyor

Seni

Bir Android cihaz satın aldın çünkü Google sana bunun her şeye açık olduğunu söyledi. İstediğin uygulamayı kurabiliyordun; anlaşma da buydu.

Google şimdi bu anlaşmayı değiştiriyor. Hem de bunu geriye dönük bir şekilde ve zaten sana ait olan donanımda yapıyor. Güncelleme geldikten sonra yalnızca Google'ın önceden onayladığı uygulamaları çalıştırabileceksin. Kendi telefonunda, kendi paranla satın aldığın cihazda.

Bağımsız geliştiricileri

Bir gencin ilk uygulaması, bir gönüllünün gizlilik aracı veya bir şirketin gizli dahili beta sürümü... Fark etmez. 2027'de bunların hiçbiri Google onayı olmadan yüklenemeyecek.

Binlerce özgür ve açık kaynak Android uygulamasına ev sahipliği yapan F-Droid, bunu "varlığına karşı" bir tehdit olarak tanımlıyor. Cory Doctorow ise buna "Darth Android" diyor.

Devletleri ve sivil toplumları

Otoriter rejimler, uygulama kaldırılmasını istediğinde Google'ın buna uyduğuna dair sabıkalı bir geçmişi var. Bu programla birlikte, ülkenin kurumlarında çalışan uygulamalar hesap vermeyen tek bir yabancı şirketin insafına kalacak.

EFF, uygulama kapıcılığını "internet sansürüne açılan giderek büyüyen bir yol" olarak tanımlıyor.

Google'ın "kaçış yolu" aslında bir tuzak kapısı

Google, doğrulanmamış uygulamaları "ileri düzey kullanıcıların" hâlâ "yükleyebileceğini" söylüyor. İşte size bunun gerçekte nasıl göründüğü:

  1. Sistem Ayarlarına girip Geliştirici Seçeneklerini bul
  2. Geliştirici Modunu açmak için derleme numarasına yedi kez dokun
  3. Korkutma amaçlı uyarı ekranlarını geç
  4. PIN kodunu gir
  5. Cihazı yeniden başlat
  6. 24 saat bekle
  7. Geri dönüp daha fazla korkutma amaçlı şeyleri geç
  8. "geçici olarak izin ver" (7 gün) ya da "süresiz izin ver" seçeneklerinden birini seç
  9. "riskleri" anladığını bir kez daha onayla

Dokuz adım. Zorunlu 24 saat bekleme. Hem de sahibi olduğun bir cihaza yazılım kurmak için.

Daha da kötüsü: bu akış Android işletim sisteminin içinde olan bir şey değil, tamamen Google Play Hizmetlerinin içinden çalışan bir şey. Yani Google bunu istediği an değiştirebilir, zorlaştırabilir ya da tamamen kaldırabilir; üstelik işletim sistemi güncellemesi ve kullanıcı onayı da gerekmez. Ayrıca bugün itibarıyla bu özellik hiçbir beta, önizleme veya canary sürümünde yok. Ortada sadece bir blog yazısı ve bazı maketler var.

Bu, Android'den daha büyük bir mevzu

Google açık platform diye satılmış milyarlarca cihazı sonradan kilitleyebiliyorsa, dünyadaki tüm donanım üreticileri bunu izliyor demektir.

Beklenen durum şöyle: Cihazını üreten şirket, sen onu satın aldıktan sonra bile hangi yazılımı çalıştırabileceğine karar verecek. Yazılım dünyasında buna "rug pull" deniyor; eskiden en azından rakip bir yazılım kurma şansın olurdu. Donanımda ise bu, seni iradenden eden ve hiç hesap vermeyen kapı bekçisi ile hüküm giymiş bir tekelin keyfine bırakan bir fait accompli.

Android'in açık oluşu hiçbir zaman sadece bir özellik değildi. Onu iPhone'dan ayıran asıl söz buydu. Milyonlarca insan Android'i tam da bu yüzden seçti. Google şimdi bu sözü tek taraflı olarak geri çekiyor; hem de insanların cebindeki mevcut cihazlarda, çünkü piyasa gücü ve düzenleyici etki açısından bunu yapabilecek kadar güçlü olduğunu düşünüyor.

Ars Technica: "Google'ın Apple'a özenmesi, Android'in açık mirasını dağıtma tehdidi yaratıyor."

Bekle biraz...

"...bu sadece güvenlik için değil mi?"

Güvenlik gerekçesi bir sis perdesi. Google Play Protect, geliştirici kimliğinden bağımsız olarak kötü amaçlı yazılımları zaten tarıyor. Devlet kimliği istemek kodu daha güvenli yapmaz. Sadece geliştiricileri tespit edilebilir ve kontrol edilebilir hale getirir. Zararlı yazılım geliştirenler de kayıt olabilir. Bağımsız geliştiriciler ve muhalifler çoğu zaman kayıt olmazlar. EFF bunu açıkça söylüyor: kimlik temelli kapıcılık güvenlik aracı değil, sansür aracıdır.

"...ileri düzeyde ilerleyerek sideloading yapabilirsin."

Dokuz adım, 24 saat bekleme süresi, Geliştirici Seçeneklerinin içine gömülü bir yol ve Google'ın istediğinde iptal edebileceği kapalı bir servis... Bu yandan yükleme (sideloading) değil. Bu, neredeyse kimsenin tamamlayamaması için tasarlanmış bir caydırma mekanizması. Üstelik işletim sistemide değil de Play Hizmetleri üzerinden çalıştığı için Google bunu sessizce daha da zorlaştırabilir ya da tamamen kapatabilir.

"...bu sadece saklayacak bir şeyin varsa sorun olur, değil mi?"

Otoriter yönetimlerdeki ihbarcılar, gazeteciler ve aktivistler bu durumda ilk kurbanlar olacak. Aile içi şiddet durumunda olan insanlar da hemen ardından gelecek. Bu grupların hepsinin, yasal kimliklerini Google veritabanına koymadan yazılım dağıtmak veya kullanmak için meşru nedenleri var. Anonim açık kaynak katkısı, Google'dan çok daha eski bir gelenek. Bu politika Android'de bu geleneği bitiriyor.

"...bu Apple'ın yaptığıyla aynı şey değil mi?"

Apple en başından beri duvarlarla çevrili bir bahçeydi. İnsanlar Android'i farklı olduğu için seçti. "Apple da yapıyor" demek dibe doğru yarışmak ve zayıf bir tu quoque argümanı. Ayrıca Apple bile düzenleyici baskılar altında (AB Dijital Pazarlar Yasası gibi), açılmaya zorlanıyor. Google ise ters yöne gidiyor: kapı bekçiliği konumunu daha da pekiştirmeye çalışıyor.

"...bu, altı üstü 25 dolar ve biraz evrak, değil mi?"

Belki, eğer ABD'de kredi kartı ve ehliyeti olan bir geliştiriciysen öyledir. Ama Sahraaltı Afrika'da bir öğrenci olmayı, Myanmar'da bir muhalif olmayı ya da topluluk sağlığı uygulaması sürdüren bir gönüllü olmayı düşün. Maliyet sadece para değil: devlet kimliğini ve imzalama anahtarlarına dair kanıtları, hükümetlerin uygulama kaldırma ve geliştirici ifşa taleplerine uymayı âdet edinmiş bir şirkete teslim ediyorsun.

Harekete geç

Herkes

  • F-Droid'i kurun. Sahip olduğunuz her Android cihaza kurun. Alternatif mağazalar ancak insanlar gerçekten kullanırsa ayakta kalır.
  • Düzenleyici kurumlarla iletişime geçin. Dünyanın dört bir yanındaki düzenleyiciler, tekelleşme ve teknoloji sektöründe gücün merkezileşmesi konusunda ciddi şekilde endişeli. Etkilenen insanlardan doğrudan geri bildirim duymak istiyorlar.
  • Bu sayfayı paylaşın. Her yerde keepandroidopen.org bağlantısını paylaşın.
  • Sahte gündem oluşturanlara karşı çıkın. "Ama aslında..." tayfası ortalıkta cirit atıyorlar. Gündemi onların belirlemesine izin vermeyin.
  • change.org dilekçesini imzalayın ve sesini duyuran 100.000'den fazla kişiye katılın.
  • Açık mektubumuzu okuyun ve paylaşın
  • Google'a bu konuda ne düşündüğünüzü söyleyin. Kendi geliştirici doğrulama anketleri üzerinden düşüncelerinizi iletebilirsiniz (artık ne kadar işe yararsa tabi).

Geliştiriciler

Kayıt olmayın. Android Developer Console'a kaydolup geri alınamaz Şartları ve Koşulları kabul ederek bu programa katılmayın. Kimliğinizi doğrulamayın. Tezgâha gelmeyin.

Google'ın planı ancak geliştiriciler buna uyarlarsa çalışır. Uymayın.

Google çalışanları

Programın teknik uygulaması veya şirket içi gerekçeleri hakkında bildiğiniz bir şey varsa, iş dışı bir cihazdan ve Gmail olmayan bir hesaptan tips@keepandroidopen.org adresine yazın. Gizliliğiniz kesin olarak korunur.

Karşı çıkanların tamamı...

23 ülkeden 71 kuruluş açık mektubu

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

Açık mektubun tamamını oku ve imzacılara teşekkür et →

Kim ne diyor

Teknoloji basını

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

Ars Technica

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

Bleeping Computer

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

Android Headlines

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

SlashGear

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

Tom's Guide

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

I-Programmer

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

XDA Developers

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

Android Headlines

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

Android Headlines

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

heise online

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

Cybernews

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

Reclaim The Net

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

MakeUseOf

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

Techdirt

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

How-To Geek

"Google's Android developer verification program draws pushback"

InfoWorld

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

How-To Geek

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

The Verge

"Keep Android Open"

Linux Magazine

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

Android Police

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

Tuta Blog

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

The Register

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

TechRepublic

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

Infosecurity Magazine

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

Ars Technica

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

How-To Geek

"Google Clamps down On Android's Openness"

Internet Freedom Foundation (India)

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

How-To Geek

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

Techzine EU

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

9to5Google

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

The Register

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

Open Source For U

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

Hackaday

"An 'existential' threat to alternative app stores"

The New Stack

"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

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

How-To Geek

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

The Register

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

Datamation

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

It's FOSS News

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

TechCrunch

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

Tom's Guide

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

Thom Holwerda, OSnews

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

Gizmochina

Editoryal yazılar ve analizler

Kuruluşlar ve açık mektuplar

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

European Pirate Party

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

Nextcloud

"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

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

Osservatorio Nessuno

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

F-Droid Open Letter

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

Tuta

"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

"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

"Developers who choose not to use Google's services should not be forced to register with, and submit to the judgement of, Google."

Open letter, over 67 signatory organizations

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

AdGuard

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

AdGuard

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

European Parliament

"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

"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

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

Tuta

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

AdGuard

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

Nextcloud

"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

"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

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

Tuta

"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

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

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

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

Tech-ish Kenya

"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

"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

"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

"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

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

F-Droid

YouTuber'lar ve içerik üreticileri

"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 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

"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

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

fireborn – Blog

"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

"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

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

The Linux Experiment – YouTube

"Google isn't testing this in the US or Europe first. They're starting in countries like Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand. Why? Because these are massive growth markets where regulation is weaker. By the time regulators catch up, the damage will already be done."

ChiefGyk3D – YouTube

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

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

"Follow the money. Google makes money when apps are downloaded from its store. Google has completely forgotten about its earlier company motto: Don't be evil."

Tuta Blog – Blog

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

SomeOrdinaryGamers (Mutahar) – YouTube

"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

"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

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

SomeOrdinaryGamers (Mutahar) – 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

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

Tuta Blog – Blog

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

fireborn – 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

"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

"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

"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

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

ChiefGyk3D – YouTube

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

Linus Sebastian, LMG Clips – YouTube

"Every single time a company takes away your ability to do what you want with what you bought and paid for, every single time they twist a knife, we have to point it out."

Louis Rossmann – YouTube

"This 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

Geliştiriciler ve topluluk

"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

"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

"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

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

vala, Lemmy

"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

"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

"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

"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

"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 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

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

flykespice (developer in Brazil), 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

"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

"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

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

lynxy, Tildes

"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

"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

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

Tiraon, Tildes

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

gcupc, Lobsters

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

tejtm, Hacker News

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

survirtual, Hacker News

"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

"If the likes of Google, Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, and others have their way, you will not own your computer; those companies will effectively own your computers."

RUs1729, Slashdot

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

Max-P, Lemmy

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

hbn, Hacker News

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

WaffleMonster, Slashdot

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

MrZander, 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

"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

"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

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

koala, Lobsters

"Google's 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

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

layfellow, Hacker News

"Give me liberty or give me Symbian."

masterofn001, Lemmy

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

Apocryphon, 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

"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

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

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

"Google 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

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

girvo, 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

"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

"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

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

anordal, Lobsters

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

TheTearMiser, Lemmy

"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

"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

"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

"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

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

gumby271, 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

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

nibbleyou (developer in India), Hacker News

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

BenjaminRi, Lobsters

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

Zak, Hacker News

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

Zak, Lemmy

Dilekçeden sesler

"It's a no to big brother and feeling myself fold up when I look at my phone "

William, change.org

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

David, change.org

"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

"I've been an user of Android based phones for a very long time. I am fully against the idea of this move Google is trying, as it is just another notch in the attempted censorship and surveillance of the internet as a whole. If this move is allowed to go through, I will find workarounds or work towards getting a third party phone deal where I don't have to deal with this. These big tech companies should not have the authority to force us to bend to them. We have the power to make them back down. Let our voice be heard. Boycott these companies and make them lose money. The moment their financial gains are threatened, they will surrender. "

Brandon, change.org

"We suffer from a dissociative disorder and one the only possible disability aid for it is not on the app store. If we lose access to this aid, our life is functionaly over. Either make it easier to put apps on the play store or knock it off. "

Isaiah, change.org

"Everyday Google becomes more and more of a monopoly and governments are letting them get away with it so they can use them to enact censorship and surveillance. "

Ciara, change.org

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

Kanji, change.org

"Google's September 2026 "Developer Verification" mandate is not a security policy. It is a monopoly play wearing security as a costume. Starting September 2026, every Android developer -- including those who have never used the Play Store -- must register with Google, submit government ID, pay fees, and agree to Google's terms just to distribute an APK. In 2027 this goes global. No registration, no distribution. Period. F-Droid is already banned from the Play Store under Google's own Developer Distribution Agreement. Now Google is closing the only door F-Droid had left. Anonymous FOSS contributors cannot and will not hand Google their home addresses. The project dies. Thousands of privacy tools, accessibility apps, whistleblower utilities, and open source projects built by volunteers with no commercial interest go dark with it. The security argument is a fraud. Android already has Play Protect. Google's own Play Store hosted over a billion malicious app downloads in 2025 alone. Identity registration does not stop malware. It stops competition. What this actually does is give Google indirect control over every app on every Android device on earth, regardless of where it was distributed. You must register with Google. You must agree to Google's terms. You must pay Google. Or your software does not exist on Android. That is not an open platform. That is a toll booth on the entire software ecosystem, built by a company that was handed dominance by the very open ecosystem it is now dismantling. Sign this because the phone in your pocket should not require Google's permission to run software you choose to install on hardware you own. "

Mark, change.org

"I use Android because of the freedom to customize and use my phone the way I want. I don't need Google telling me how to use my phone. "

Deja, change.org

"I switched to Android OS because apple's OS is closed. There will be no upsides to Android once it is closed. I will switch back to iPhones in a heartbeat so I can be on the same system as the rest of my family. "

devin, change.org

"googleme dokunma "

Adım, change.org

"As someone who has started making my own apps for fun, the prospect of not being able to test them on my device or share them with friends is ridiculous. If this goes through my next phone upgrade will not have anything to do with google. "

Al, 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

"This was why I didn't use iphones "

Greg, change.org

"Bro this is the only thing keeping android over iOS don't take it "

Alejandro, change.org

"If Android is closed off & no longer my phone as was the promise of Android, it will be the last Android anything I will purchase.. "

Michael, 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

"One of the only reasons I use Android today is because of the openness of the operating system. Without it there is no reason why I would pick an Android phone over an iPhone. Most of the apps I use are not found on the playstore because I like to tinker a lot. I also like to make small applications for myself, my co-workers, and friends. Requiring a fee would completely shut down my ability to create niche apps that I already wouldn't be profiting on. "

LANDON, change.org

"As consumers, we are entitled to the full functionality of the technology we purchase. This includes the freedom to choose how we use our devices and what software to run on them. Google claims their efforts to lock down Android are for security purposes, but their true motivations are based in a incessant need for control and financial gain. Malware concerns have never justified sideloading restrictions on computers, regardless of OS - so why would they suddenly apply to their pocket-sized counterparts? Smartphones serve as the primary drivers enabling both our personal and professional lives, online and offline. Big tech’s desire to rob the people’s agency and ownership over such vital technology through needless restrictions and invasive surveillance for an extra dime clearly shows their lack of integrity and respect for the consumer. Removing the freedom of choice from Android means creating a landscape where all mobile technology will never truly serve their users as all tools should. Coming from someone who has used both Android and iOS devices, I have learned how indispensable the freedom provided by Android really is, even for an average user. Google’s willingness to restrict their users, destroying Android’s greatest strength and its legacy is extremely disappointing. I do not want to live in a world where all technology becomes a series of “walled gardens” as Apple has notoriously made their own phones. We deserve to own our technology, not be owned by our technology. "

Jurrien, 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

"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

"I dislike all the changes that have undergone Android, but this one takes the cake for the worst one i could have ever imagined. "

Pye, change.org

"We own the devices that we buy with our money. We should have the freedom to do with them as we like. This includes the installation of apps from any developer without some rediculous google verification. "

Edwin, change.org

"I use apps that I cannot find on the Google Play Store, Google restricting users to only the Play Store is not only bad, but a hindrance to myself as well since some of these apps I use are of every day use. Android was made to be an open source system since day one, and it needs to stay that way. "

Nova, change.org

"It's like Google looked at the Microsoft debacle (hello! Linux!) that's currently going on and said wait..hold my beer... Not as easy to change from Google Android like Windows to Linux but it can be done! Already have proton emails so the ball is rolling! If this goes thru I will definitely find alternatives. And instead of using a mix of Google Play store apps and gmail and FOSS as of now, I'll just stick to FOSS and stick with proton email as the primary and go the way of degoogled or possibly apple. Or even go with a cheap flip phone and just forget about using any apps at all! see your already helping me curb the addiction you created by these smart phones and with the physical media resurgence this could kind of go with the whole theme so to speak. Thanks for the ideas Google! I've gotten into the habit of changing and finding alternatives in the last ten plus years to everything. This would not be any different. Know your place and keep your promises Google. Or to quote a couple of your slogans. "Don't be evil" and "Do the right thing" "

Marvin, change.org

"This would mean there's no longer a reason to use android "

Chandrea, change.org

"I'm a developer considering deploying to Android as a platform. The option to not require Google's involvement is a highly enticing aspect, and I could see playtesting Android games by means of "hey, you're my friend, can you play this on your Android device and see if it works well?" with a signed APK becoming an absolute nightmare to deal with in the event of rapid updates caused by constant back-and-forth discussions if this goes through. Not only is this bad for the consumer on a nightmarish level, it could very well destroy the development environment of the platform, the main reason people develop for it so much more than iOS, as well. Google should be ashamed of even considering this for more than a few minutes and doing anything more than laughing the idea off the moment it was brought up, even less attempting to go through with it. I can't imagine your investors will be happy when everybody stops developing for your platform and you have far less people using it as well, either. Maybe think about the long term here. Y'know, instead of all the short term thinking kinds of mistakes that lead to things like Stadia going wrong. Don't let Android become your next Stadia, Google. Stadia failed not because of the concept, but because of tons of poorly thought out decisions that seemed good for the short-term that were horrible for any longevity, trying to focus too much on existing big heavy hitters being sold on the platform instead of trying to make a proper case for what it could uniquely bring to the table for example. It isn't out of the dang question this could make Android's upcoming versions into your next Stadia-tier failure. "

Adam, change.org

"What made Android unique was that you could download and side-load apps. It's what made Android different from iOS, and it's why I preferred Android. This isn't "protecting" anyone, and Google is almost always on the side of profit over consumers. "

Tyler, change.org

"Google is going to ruin what they built and turn into Apple. "

Abnormal Software, change.org

"Android phones letting me control my apps in my way is why I love and stick with Android. I can't support upstart developers without our current APK framework. A future without one of the lead reasons I own an Android phone, is a future where I just stop owning a phone. "

Kyle, change.org

"We don’t want Android to be the next IOS —— the well known Anti-GNU softwares. Protection is a cover, Operation of False Flag should not and would not be able to succeed. "

Danny, change.org

"Google has always been the biggest hypocrite in the technology space. From stealing people's ideas to just buying them up. And ruining the experience. When I first fell in love with Android, it was because it was an open source platform that I could do as I pleased. I could extract the ROM and customize it to my liking. Now there is no semblance of customizability besides the walls of Jericho that Google has put. We must tear down these walls like the Berlin Wall and watch it burn because again Android was supposed to be for the people by the people not what iPhone or Apple is. Money hungry conglomerate corporate insatiable bastards. "

Adam, change.org

"I use Android phones rather than iphones because it allows for more user end control, including the ability to use/install open-source apk. If the choice is made to restrict this functionality, my next phone will not be an android. "

Rebecca, change.org

"As a developer, I will NEVER give Google my ID or personal identity. They are already known to post developers home addresses on their app store publicly, which is a huge safety violation. I do not trust google and will not give them any of my personal data. "

Skye, change.org

"FOSS shall not die and we the users shall be free to install what ever software we want "

Erik, change.org

"the staple and main "selling" point of android is how open and free it is. Without that it's no different than any other os. This decision is completely asinine on Google's part. "

Thomas, change.org

"It's my phone that I bought with my money. Why is Google allowed to determine what apps I install on it? "

Eugene, change.org

"I paid for this device and I can do whatever I want with it "

Marcus, 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

"The ability to install APKs are a core feature in Android's open nature. It also helps developers to freely test and debug their apps. Installing APKs should be completely free and allowed. Thanks to everyone who made me see this project. Do you want me to draw this as a support material? Thanks. "

Emir, change.org

"1 federal lawsuit wasn't enough? This only scratches the surface of the game they keep playing. Why after all that's happened, being convicted of monopoly must Google feel the need to lockdown the one shot we have at staying private on mobile? Even if they do want to collect more data it will cost them some of their userbase. The terms of the update alone are outrageous. Fees & gov't ID? Let's sue 'em again! 😂 "

Zach, change.org

"As a android user and a newbie developer, android OS is famous by the its freedom. Because we can modify our android operating system by our ways,and decided which software I wanted which I needn't. This freedom is the biggest difference between android and IOS and other fake android, which is full of junk ads and virus-like game. However, if we lost freedom on android operating system, the open-source software developer will lose motivation from this platform. That is a horrorible things to the android and the people who beloved with it. "

su, change.org

"Penuit butter "

Dylan, change.org

"This is absurd. To remove one of the main things that drew people to android over iPhone is laughably moronic. Especially when some of the best apps recommend by people come from outside the play store. Pull it together! "

Logan, 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

"Im hating Google for this, i hope they not do this to Android system "

Pepino, 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

"it's crazy that they're doing this . It was the only reason i chose "google" android in the 1st place, because of it's semi open nature "

jamie, change.org

"The biggest reason I love Android is because it's open. I have had ENOUGH of companies trying to decide what I can and can't do with the devices I purchased. If I spent money on it, it is MINE and I should be allowed to do whatever I want with it. Enough is enough. "

Callum, change.org

"Liberdade ao Android! "

Guilherme, change.org

"Hello, I have been using Android my whole life and I had always disliked IOS due to its highly locked down operating system and hearing that android (Google) wants to lock down android from 3rd party creators really hurts because not everyone can afford to publish an app onto the Google play store. also due to the fact android is the biggest OS worldwide many devices such as "Meta Quest" use android and they're store for applications would get shut down and cause many problems if they (Google) goes through with this plan. Especially as somebody who is soon to make and upload applications for Android this can be very limiting. Keep Android Open. Don't turn it into IOS. "

sqidwerd, change.org

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

Alessio, change.org

"my devices are mine and mine only. any argument otherwise is tyrannical "

Dee, change.org

"Android was always desired by those who want an open platform. It should remain that way... for a laundry list of reasons. "

Byran, change.org

"This move is a step backward for the Android ecosystem for so many reasons, but most of because all Google claiming this is for "security" is very disingenuous. Malware already exists on the Play Store, and restricting independent, open-source software does not make users safer, it only makes the ecosystem more closed and worse off. This is anti-consumer to a tee and should not be allowed to happen. "

Teemu, change.org

"I like Android because it feels like a computer. I can administrate my own files, download niche little hobby projects made freely by others off of GitHub. I don't want it to become a walled corporate garden like iOS. If it does, well, might as well switch to the higher-quality walled garden, huh? No point in using a droid anymore. "

Maxima, change.org

"We chose Android because it is OUR device that we have control of. Soon it will be fully controlled by Google. "

Montana, change.org

"Dystopian, unaccountable corporate control and rug pulling. "

Ethan, 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

"Google already limited us with Android apps that are from the Play Store, now they want to censor even more?? What's the goal behind all this?! Control?? And I'm from Brazil, why Brazil was in first place regarding this??? Is the law more important than the customers? So why are they adopting ideas that Restrict consumer Freedom??? Don't you think about the Well-Being of People, of the Consumer!??? All of this is a Game to me, and you're Using the Controller for Pleasure, NOT for the Good of Society in General! That's why I'm Really Against this law!! "

Bruno Eduardo, change.org

"I hope Google returns to its origins. Chrome and Android are open source, just like Google and YouTube are networks accessible to everyone. Limiting this is limiting yourself. Governments can attack individuals, and if there's a monopoly by Google and Apple, you'll be the ones targeted and censored. Don't allow that! We already have restrictions on the main networks like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. New social networks are already emerging. If you limit Android, you'll be shooting yourself in the foot and opening space for competitors to take your place. "

Valberto, change.org

"I have been antagonistic towards the Google play store and its selection of poor-quality apps. By taking away the ease of sideloading apps, I might as well have bought a brick with some precious metals in it. None of us do not have to take Google's mandate. "

Nathan, change.org

"Our phone, our rights. Open source is freedom. We will not comply, we will turn to alternatives. "

Foghorne, change.org

"Tudo e todos vamossss "

Renato, change.org

"The openness of the Android is its unique selling point. Keep Android open to keep Android Android. "

John, change.org

"Google has shown a lack of respect for user privacy their entire existence. You own your device, you spent hundreds of dollars/Euros for it. It was not a loan by Google, it is yours, and you should control what you use it for. People who want to use only Google verified apps are free to do so without having to infringe on the rights of the people knowledgeable enough to make the decision to use apps from outside Google's Play store. Google and others have long criticized Apple for this exact thing, to the point that they're in a lawsuit for it. For Google to try this shows a complete lack of respect for the customer, a lack of integrity, and complete and utter hypocrisy. If I want to make a personal app to control a toy I made and programmed, why should I have to give Google my personal information, jump through extra hoops, give them my code, and PAY them for the privilege of doing my own work? It's ridiculous. It's pure corporate greed. More than that, it's an attempt from Google to control your device. Yet another avenue for censorship, surveillance, and the road towards a world without any freedom, all under the guise of "safety." This is not just an attack on you and your device. This is an attack on your freedom as an individual and your right to your privacy and choice. This shouldn't just be a petition, this needs to be nonnegotiable. "

Paul, change.org

"Locking down the Android OS does not benefit developers, or users. It gives more control for Google, to eventually extract more from their users. Android has not been the epitome privacy and FOSS, for a while now; but it has at least kept some of those options open for users. Limiting sideloading is ruining my last reason to use Android. Time to switch. "

Steven, change.org

"I don't want some mega corporation to tell me what code I can and cannot run on my own phone. The AI BS they're pushing is bad enough, this is even worse. "

Jackie, change.org

"If this happens, Android will ko longer be an open platform with options. Google and other OEMS that they work with will be the only ones who can dictate what your own personal device can run. This also completely halts hobbyist and low income development by cutting off an extremely accessible platform and imposing a fee (Which could very easily turn into an Apple style subscription later.). So, people will not be able to easily to learn, experiment, and practice with mobile app development. Only the very few with sufficient disposable money will be able to do it. "

Jeffrey, 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

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

Roberto, change.org

"In a time when a few big companies are controlling everything, having access to open source alternatives is more important than ever. We don't need more restrictions and less access. Right now you can come up with a great idea, create said idea, then share it with other android users. The only barriers are your own willingness to learn. But google is trying to destroy what makes android great! Don't let it happen. Sign the petition, make noise on social media, boycott if it comes to it. Don't let the people at the top continue taking away and restricting things we love and need. It can feel like they're untouchable. But they rely on us for that power and control. If enough people resist they will revert the planned changes. Because in the end we're the consumer and all they care about is "the numbers go up". They need us for that. "

Anthony, change.org

"Just saying that Android is not becoming locked down because of sideload restrictions, it closed was from the start, but people don't care if bootloader unlock is not under their control, they are being abused from the born of android but they only now scream that sideload is getting restricted. I'm of course mad at this sideload situation but Android before WASN'T OPEN! "

Hidden, change.org

"Android has always been my favorite platform because I can download apps externally, often community-created apps with various benefits. Removing this option from Android is like erasing its very essence. "

Davi, change.org

"I think it is a slap in the face for users and developers alike. "

Timothy, change.org

"Allow Android users to install any APK. Don't require "Identity verification" to publish Apps. "

Eric, change.org

"Well google showed their true colours. Time to start migrating all my accounts away from them. What a joke. "

Jordan, change.org

"It's just because I like piracy and I was born into piracy. "

Simp, change.org

"Google, don't make me get the spray bottle. "

Skipps, change.org

"I have been with Android since the Motorola Droid on Android 2.0 and been with Android all the way till now. The reason I went with Android is because of the openness and freedom I can do with my device that I bought. Throughout the years, I have installed really amazing apps outside the Play Store. I should have the ability to install any app I want and App developers should be able to create any app they want without having to give their information away. Google, please don't become like Apple and lock everything down. "

Rafael, 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

"When I purchased my Android product, it was with the understanding that I could use it how I pleased. This doesn't make anything better, they are doing this in a bid to control what their consumers are able to access. It is predatory and they must be held accountable. "

Phillip, change.org

"Big tech is trying to collectively normalize mass surveillance requiring government ID's for everything and saying "it's for our safety". It is NOT about anyone's safety. "

Amélie, change.org

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

Mauricio, change.org

"I do not need hpw to be told how to use my phone. If android goes through this Im downgrading to flip phones and will never use androids again. Ive never used Apple for this reason. Let me decide whats good or ill for myself, I am a grown autonomous human being and do not need to be kept "safe" by a large corporation, safe from what Im not even sure? Sounds like control not safety. "

Jake, change.org

"Security is important, but it's not the same as control. They close doors to developers and users. I personally use Android precisely because of the free installation of APKs. For this, I prefer to use iOS. "

Dilan Giovanny, change.org

"I bought the whole phone, i'll use the whole phone, whatever way I want. Openness of Android is the only reason I choose android, if I wanted a "Locked Down" phone, i'll just go with Apple at that point. Make these censorship at least optional to block, LET ME DECIDE, but dont force it onto blocking of APK installs all together FOR EVERYONE, let the user decide for themselves. I don't want Google to decide what I can or cannot do with the phone I BOUGHT. If I bought a phone, with the expectation and the capacity of doing X,Y,Z with it, don't take away the Z AFTER I BOUGHT IT. I'll just refuse to update my phone if it get's pushed that way. There's more malware on the ADS you promote, rather than anywhere else, im sure. "

Bryan, change.org

"I only have one thing to comment: Google just wants to make a profit, they are just being greedy. "

Joilton, change.org

"Android shines in giving the user freedom to use their devices however they choose to. If Google closes down on this freedom, in my use case as a power user I will be unable to install apps any except from the play store which is a platform that is littered with bad app that are useless and sometimes they cost money making it unnecessarily difficult for Indy devs working on apps whether it for job or weekend project "

Cristian, change.org

"I went back to Android over Apple because of APK freedom. There is no reason to buy an Android phone if this change is implemented. Android users love DIY: researching, exploring new manufacturers, using independent APK repositories. Google is trying to destroy the one thing that makes Android appealing. We all might as well buy iPhones if this is the direction they are choosing. Or dump our money into PinePhone dev. "

Kay, change.org

"As user and developer, this is surely concerning and, obviously, unwanted. For a period in my life I've used iOS, but didn't think twice before abandoning it completely, just as I did when moving from Windows to Linux. Again, as user and dev., I treasure having (maximum) control and privacy over my very own devices. To s##t with these ridiculous policies. "

Anthony L., change.org

"This is the entire point of many people using Android in the first place, you take this away and something new will come along and replace you. "

Jacob, change.org

"As detailed at https://developer.android.com/developer-verification, Google is planning to impose a requirement that developers of Android applications centrally register their signing keys with Google and pay a fee, enforced by the Google Play Services framework preventing applications from unregistered developers from running on users' devices. Google already lost a case on this issue and was forced to make it easier for users to install applications from third parties (https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/google-proposes-app-store-reforms-settlement-with-fortnite-maker-epic-games-2025-11-05/). The F-Droid project has clearly stated that Google's current behavior threatens its very existence, which is as far as I can tell in direct violation of the intent of that ruling (https://f-droid.org/en/2025/09/29/google-developer-registration-decree.html). I personally use F-Droid as the primary source of software on my device. If Google goes through with this plan, my freedom to use my device as I see fit will be harmed. "

Duncan, change.org

"I always chose to use android because of its freedom to do whatever I want woth my smartphone. Now they want to become Apple. What is wrong with them? We can't let this happen. "

kelvin, change.org

"I am not a dev, I am a Linux user who loves the openness of android. If Android becomes locked down, and the play store is the only option, my sovereignty and freedom is gone. GOOGLE, PLEASE DO NOT CONTINUE YOUR CURRENT COURSE. "

Gabriel, change.org

"This is like Linux changing into Windows "

A., change.org

"Isn't the point of Android to be open and allow choice to install what the user wants? Why should I pay for a phone that won't allow me to actually have control over what I own? May as well buy an iPhone. "

Kolya, change.org

"I rely on open source software on all my devices, including my phone. F#ck google and their authoritarian-friendly, privacy destroying policies. I'm scared of the future of software. I don't wanna have to give my government ID just to use a f#cking "

Tyler, change.org

"Android has always stood for user choice that’s what made it different. Taking away freedoms like sideloading apps goes directly against that foundation. Not every developer wants to go through approval processes just to create or use their own apps. Many of us build things for personal use, experimentation, or learning not for distribution under strict control. These changes don’t just limit developers they set a dangerous precedent. This is how censorship and platform control begin, slowly turning an open ecosystem into a closed one. Android was meant to be open. What made it powerful was the freedom it gave its users. Stripping that away doesn’t protect people it restricts them. If Android continues down this path, it risks losing what made it great in the first place. "

Jared, 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

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