“Google stands for free and open internet”
blog.google/…/keep-internet-free-and-open/
Aged like milk.
Google's shocking developer decree struggles to justify the urgent threat to F-Droid
Submitted 2 weeks ago by ardi60@reddthat.com to technology@lemmy.world
Comments
Zacryon@feddit.org 2 weeks ago
Hobo@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Don’t be evilBe evil when it makes money.
fodor@lemmy.zip 2 weeks ago
And of course the motto should have been, “Don’t do evil.” That would have been a respectable goal. But it wasn’t, because even back then they only wanted to be slightly better than Microsoft.
GreenKnight23@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
aged like a corpse in a bathtub more like it.
OrteilGenou@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Mmmm head cheese
OrteilGenou@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Don’t be something or other, hey check out this week’s doodle!
ook@discuss.tchncs.de 2 weeks ago
I am really glad to see these articles popping up now. Since the news broke a week back or so it was suspiciously quiet about this, despite lots of negative comments here.
scarabic@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
I’m frustrated that the article didn’t link to the “decree.” Do you know where it is?
barnaclebutt@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Isn’t this illegal in Europe? Was that the whole point of forcing apple to allow alternative app stores?
progandy@feddit.org 2 weeks ago
Technically, third party app stores are allowed. Developers “only” register with google to receive a developer certificate. Isn’t apple doing the same thing in response to the EU regulations and that has been allowed?
Jason2357@lemmy.ca 2 weeks ago
Seems like a weasel around the requirement to get rid of the actual benefit of 3rd party stores.
bigFab@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
I can’t believe how useless the EU regulations are.
FreedomAdvocate@lemmy.net.au 2 weeks ago
It’s because they regularly overstep their bounds and force overseas companies to do things they have no right to make them do, which actively hurt their business. Of course companies are going to do their very best to comply while making it have as little impact as possible!
magguzu@midwest.social 2 weeks ago
If you have a Mac, have you ever tried installing an app and have it refuse because it’s not signed by Apple, and then you had to go into settings and click “allow anyway?”
This is that, except without the allow anyway feature, like iOS. It doesn’t matter if it comes from the play store or elsewhere, as this story originally had us believe.
hanrahan@slrpnk.net 2 weeks ago
No, Google is following Apple’s exmaple.
cronenthal@discuss.tchncs.de 2 weeks ago
There’s never been a more urgent time to switch to Linux on pretty much every device.
rumba@lemmy.zip 2 weeks ago
The mobile options for Linux are years out from being ready and the hardware vendors are locking them out as fast as possible.
tomenzgg@midwest.social 2 weeks ago
There’s generally been positive reviews for FuriLab’s FLX1 model:
- clehaxze.tw/…/07-20-flx1-actually-usable-linux-ph…
- news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41839326
- www.reddit.com/r/linux/comments/…/furilabs_flx1/
- www.reddit.com/r/…/flx1_linux_phone_display_out/
- www.theregister.com/2025/02/03/furiphone_flx1/
Their new one, the FLX1s has 2GiB more RAM (for 8GiB, in total). I’ve heard battery gets 2 days without charge even with Android emulation.
cronenthal@discuss.tchncs.de 2 weeks ago
So it would seem.
pHr34kY@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
The stepping-stone would be de-googled Android like LineageOS or GrapheneOS. I think Linux is the end-game though.
Photuris@lemmy.ml 2 weeks ago
[deleted]SaharaMaleikuhm@feddit.org 2 weeks ago
Ubuntu Touch works well on my fairphone.
cronenthal@discuss.tchncs.de 2 weeks ago
Beats me! I’m in the process of moving banking and payment off my phone in preparation for a Linux one. These things will very likely not work on non-proprietary devices.
kepix@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
wish it would have support
blueworld@piefed.world 2 weeks ago
For those in Europe, write your representatives.
Fro me f-droid's post:
https://f-droid.org/2025/09/29/google-developer-registration-decree.htmlWhat do we propose?
Regulatory and competition authorities should look carefully at Google’s proposed activities, and ensure that policies designed to improve security are not abused to consolidate monopoly control. We urge regulators to safeguard the ability of alternative app stores and open-source projects to operate freely, and to protect developers who cannot or will not comply with exclusionary registration schemes and demands for personal information.
If you are a developer or user who values digital freedom, you can help. Write to your Member of Parliament, Congressperson or other representative, sign petitions in defense of sideloading, and contact the European Commission’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) team to express why preserving open distribution matters. By making your voice heard, you help defend not only F-Droid, but the principle that software should remain a commons, accessible and free from unnecessary corporate gatekeeping.
https://f-droid.org/2025/09/04/twif.html [^antifeatures]: F-Droid Anti-Features overview: https://f-droid.org/docs/Anti-Features/ [^howmanyusers]: How many F-Droid users are there, exactly? We don’t know, because we don’t track users or have any registration. “No user accounts, by design”: https://f-droid.org/2022/02/28/no-user-accounts-by-design.html [^sideloading]: ‘“Sideload” is a weird euphemism that the mobile duopoly came up with; it means “installing software without our permission,” which we used to just call “installing software” (because you don’t need a manufacturer’s permission to install software on your computer).’ — Pluralistic: Darth Android: <https://pluralistic.net/2025/09/01/fulu/> [^playprotect]: “Google Play Protect checks your apps and devices for harmful behavior”: <https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/2812853>
Everyday0764@lemmy.zip 2 weeks ago
do we have a contact tool like for chat control?
blueworld@piefed.world 2 weeks ago
Ah, you mean https://fightchatcontrol.eu/.
I am not aware of anything yet, apart from what the article suggests. https://digital-markets-act.ec.europa.eu/contact-dma-team_en
supersquirrel@sopuli.xyz 2 weeks ago
I will literally go without a smartphone if Google does this, this is insane I would have bought an iphone if I wanted a junk device I don’t actually own.
Jinni@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
If this effects de-googled android, I will probably start investing in Linux phones.
I would rather have a limited phone than has full freedom than one that makes everyone go through Google.
lazynooblet@lazysoci.al 2 weeks ago
It won’t. This is for 99% of users with their Google enabled devices. It’s still shit and it will effect the 1% indirectly by the reduction of available software outside the play store
Flatfire@lemmy.ca 2 weeks ago
The crazy part is this may make iOS the better alternative when considering the emergence of third-party app stores and Apple’s loosening grip on their ecosystem.
LineageOS is still a good option too, for anyone who would prefer to keep the phone they have
PinkiePieYay2707@pawb.social 2 weeks ago
LineageOS is not really an alternative though, as it will still be hit by this. Please see the comment here: lemmy.world/post/36621884/19652276
pirate2377@lemmy.zip 2 weeks ago
iOS would be the better alternative, if it wasn’t for the hardware they run on. After all, Apple is infamous for their blatant planned obsolescence on their iPhones since the iPhone 6. Unfortunately, Google seems to be following Apple in this way as well since they launched an update that made the Pixel 6a’s battery so much worse than before. Therefore, we must all have a dumb phone + Linux phone set up…or something
DeathByBigSad@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
Not really. They are converging onto the exact same thing. 3rd party stores are allowed, but needs [Google/Apple]'s approval.
If you are big and have teeth (like Epic Games), you will (probably) be allowed, if you are small like a single open source developer, the can shut you down city dubious “security”/“ToS” issue, and you probably don’t have the money to sue.
cley_faye@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
They both go for the least open option. If asking for all devs registration and validation from google is viable and legally sound, apple will do the same if that’s not already in the pipe.
Both “stores” are targeted for the same issues.
Auli@lemmy.ca 2 weeks ago
Where are the third party app stores on iOS. Apple is delaying and fighting every inch in the EU.
FreedomAdvocate@lemmy.net.au 2 weeks ago
Owning a phone doesn’t give you control over what the operating system can do. You can so what the OS they give you allows you to do, or you can find a way to put a different os on it - but they don’t need to provide a way for you to do that easily.
Not really sure why this is a hard concept for some people to grasp?
seraphine@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 weeks ago
we need linux phones ASAP
hietsu@sopuli.xyz 2 weeks ago
We had a few good Linux phones back in the day but Nokia / Microsoft killed them trying to compete with iPhone OS and Android: Maemo / Meego were great but did not get a proper chance.
Jolla continued the legacy and Sailfish OS is still something worth checking out if you can find suitable hardware, or idk how complex it is to port it.
nailbar@sopuli.xyz 2 weeks ago
The Jolla was probably my favorite phone, but it broke so easily. I really hope they make something more sturdy this time around.
Johnny101@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
I think Linux phones will gain some real traction within five years. Last I heard, KDE is putting great effort into making apps for Plasma Mobile
Sir_Simon_Spamalot@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
I’ll believe it when I see it.
Blindsite@lemmy.today 2 weeks ago
They exist. People just don’t buy them. But there is a Ubuntu phone port you can install on your phone as an alternative to android.
…ubports.com/…/status-update-on-the-next-noble-ba…
But yeah it can get complicated like any Linux community project and isn’t at all mainstream.
captain_aggravated@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
People don’t buy them because they don’t fucking work.
JeremyHuntQW12@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
You cannot sideload on Linux.
OsrsNeedsF2P@lemmy.ml 2 weeks ago
Right, because side-loading is called “installing” on Linux
FE80@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Does anyone know if existing linux phones can run 2FA apps such as Duo or Google authenticator?
Smoogs@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Why do you need the google Authenticator? Proton has it too.
Appoxo@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 weeks ago
Or better spps like Aegis?
What is it with you people trying your best to get away from google but still using the most exchangeable app they have.ubergeek@lemmy.today 2 weeks ago
They can run Keeppass, which does TOTP. It doesn’t do push notifs, like Duo does, though.
art@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
I’m starting to think these for-profit companies only care about making money.
edgyspazkid@lemmy.wtf 2 weeks ago
DarkSideOfTheMoon@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Open source community keeps trusting Google and they keep using the Embrace, Extend, Extinguish …wikipedia.org/…/Embrace,_extend,_and_extinguish
twice_hatch@midwest.social 2 weeks ago
What should anyone have done different? Not built for one of the largest platforms with the most users?
DarkSideOfTheMoon@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Android is so big because the community let them embrace it. Since the beginning the community should have worked in a true open solution. Now it’s really late to try to make a Linux phone
FreedomAdvocate@lemmy.net.au 2 weeks ago
Anyone that builds their entire company and/or product around being reliant on a multi-billion/trillion dollar company providing them with their source code for free so you can use it to get around using their services is only setting themselves up for disaster.
If you rely on Google giving you their source code, you need to have a backup plan ready at all times for what to do when Google don’t give you their source code.
MrSulu@lemmy.ml 2 weeks ago
Let’s hope that the rest of the world, specifically Europe smash this ridiculous proposal apart for what it is. Europe has already sorted out USB-C etc. Its not perfect and they don’t get everything right, but certainly big enough to make stuff right.
SpaceCadet@sopuli.xyz 2 weeks ago
They’re too busy forcing chat control and age gates through our collective throats.
kalkulat@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Yep. The E.U. has allowed itself to be dominated for too long by the US megacorps. It has the talent, ideas, and manufacturing to tell US firms to bugger off … and the sooner, the better for us all.
ghosthacked@lemmy.wtf 2 weeks ago
Unless you want hillbilly outrage slop destabilising your continent, you better get control away from American tech companies.
Tollana1234567@lemmy.today 2 weeks ago
they are also going hard on surveillance, private info too, backed by RU of course.i think russell vought is behind the anti-porn verifications in the EU
FreedomAdvocate@lemmy.net.au 2 weeks ago
At this stage the EU probably pushed Google to do this.
goatinspace@feddit.org 2 weeks ago
Crozekiel@lemmy.zip 2 weeks ago
Yea… I’m really disappointed with the timing of FuriLabs new phone which is mostly a downgrade over the previous one. I’ve been window shopping phones for a couple of months and am at a loss for what to do. Even spent some time considering a dumb flip phone that can work as a wifi-hotspot and use a small linux tablet or something for the more involved stuff, but couldn’t find a good tablet option that wasn’t huge (would still want it to fit in my pocket) or come with the same problems.
damon@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Hopefully they go to court to get an injunction. Hopefully, they also go to the powers that be in the EU, those same powers have been so focused on the Apple App Store they failed to take into account Google can do something like this with the Play Store. It would be a shame for the F-Droid project to end but it is completely avoidable.
Wispy2891@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
What pisses me off it that they say they do this for security. It changes absolutely anything.
They really think that malware developers will say “oh no! I need to submit a picture of an id card to sign my malware! It’s literally impossible to submit a jpg of a stolen id card, I’m ruined and out of a job!”
What does it change? Waste 20 minutes of some malware developer while they register under a stolen id? They already have a system that scans for known malware and automatically remove it.
leastaction@lemmy.ca 2 weeks ago
It seems to me that part of the problem is overreliance on phones as computing devices. A lot of things, like banking, are best done on an actual computer. We have become too dependent on phones.
ZombieMantis@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
“Year of the Linux Phone” has a nice ring to it.
ezterry@lemmy.zip 2 weeks ago
I am perfectly ok with android apps being required to be signed by not just a certificate (they always were just it could be self signed and just needed to match to upgrade without removing data) but a list of trusted entities.
As long as:
- I can install my own key on my phone (I’d I am trusted)
- major distributors like fdroid and have a key installed without friction (like web CAs)
- Google let’s me mark their key as untrusted (I probably won’t but I should be able to refuse things they trust (at install time, not disabling preloaded apps like settings)
Without this it feels too much extending the monopoly despite being forced to allow 3rd party stores.
WhatAmLemmy@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
This is why I didn’t bother switching to GOS, Lineage, Calyx etc despite being sick of Apple’s anti-foss monopoly — marketed as Privacy™️ and Security™️ — for years.
The late stage capitalism of western oligarchies indicated that Google’s rug pull of AOSP was an imminent inevitability. After already having to change my services and workflows multiple times over the last 2 decades — despite careful analysis and forethought — due to services ever changing value propositions, acquisitions, and all other forms of enshittification, I’m at the point where I won’t bother wasting energy on 99% of digital products unless they’re open source and I can run them indefinitely on my own Linux server.
The more dependent you grow on digital products, the more interdependent they become, and the more time and effort is required to replace or substitute them.
interdimensionalmeme@lemmy.ml 2 weeks ago
The justification is simple, I don’t see the confusion, they want absolute power and for all alternatives to wither and die ? What is there not to understand ?
klobuerschtler@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
EU be like: Really? Didn’t you learn from Apple?
Paddy66@lemmy.ml 2 weeks ago
Contact your representative. And here’s F-droid’s article about it (including how to find your representative at the end of the article): f-droid.org/…/google-developer-registration-decre…
EonNShadow@pawb.social 2 weeks ago
My job doesn’t allow me to use a jailbroken/rooted device
So if/when this goes through I’ll be switching to iOS.
Given the choice between two closed platforms, I’ll pick the one that ostensibly says they’re privacy focused instead of the one actively enshittifying their product.
AlteredEgo@lemmy.ml 2 weeks ago
How does google plan to enforce this? Will they disable side-loading for any app that isn’t registered with google?
Johnny101@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Google’s developer verification will only run on mainstream Android with play services. It’s not supposed won’t be running in standard AOSP so the easiest solution would be to switch to a custom ROM like GrapheneOS.
General_Effort@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
European devs: Our laws will protect us!
Meanwhile, our laws:
Article 30
Traceability of traders
- Providers of online platforms allowing consumers to conclude distance contracts with traders shall ensure that traders can only use those online platforms to promote messages on or to offer products or services to consumers located in the Union if, prior to the use of their services for those purposes, they have obtained the following information, where applicable to the trader:
(a) the name, address, telephone number and email address of the trader;
(b) a copy of the identification document of the trader or any other electronic identification as defined by Article 3 of Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council (40);
Reygle@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Graphene users REPRESENT
daniskarma@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 weeks ago
Newpipe, now signed by Norman Reedus, verification picture and everything!
AmericanEconomicThinkTank@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Best part: the better names in the alt os and device scenes don’t sell in us markets.
Unless you do the legwork of flashing your own device, most of us are out of luck.
I just love a good market stranglehold.
Goretantath@lemmy.world 1 week ago
So when this happens, can’t fdroid just make a PC side installer that syncs apps to the phone through adb? Sure it sucks that you can’t just tap to install now but at least people could still use their 600 dollar phones for as long as they were supposed to by plugging in every now and then when your PC fdroid client tells you there’s updates. Heck on the meta quest I used adb only with the quest headset once I got it configured, it was some self hosted adb server and let me do all the sit I needed a computer for in the first place without one, maybe fdroid could change the client to use a “remote adb” solution like that?
octopus_ink@slrpnk.net 2 weeks ago
Have we ever lived in a more stallmanwasright.jpg time?
primrosepathspeedrun@anarchist.nexus 2 weeks ago
Ah. Well. About software.
umbrella@lemmy.ml 2 weeks ago
manxu@piefed.social 2 weeks ago
I never wanted him to be wrong more than right now. Except for tomorrow, it’s probably going to bé worse, tomorrow
kami@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 weeks ago
Stillman has never been and never will be wrong.
damon@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Except when it comes to women and girls, he’s absolutely wrong
yetAnotherUser@discuss.tchncs.de 2 weeks ago
I sometimes like to read his political posts:
www.stallman.org/archives/2025-jul-oct.html
And honestly? I mostly agree with them? Like this:
He has some questionable beliefs as well, though for unusual reasons. He accepts non-binary people but refuses to use they/them pronouns because he doesn’t like the ambiguity of singular/plural pronouns. So he has invented the neopronouns per/pers to refer to singular non-binary persons. I genuinely think no other person on this planet could hold this opinion.
TheGrandNagus@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Unless he’s championing paedophilia and bestiality, which he has done on a number of occasions. Or being an absolute creep with women, which he’s also done.
rob_t_firefly@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
🪴