Google plans to restrict sideloading of Android apps: Difference between revisions
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==Consumer response== | ==Consumer response== | ||
The announcement sparked backlash in online communities. On [[Reddit]], users called the change ''"complete bullshit"'' and accused Google of '''gradually eroding Android's openness'''.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=26 Aug 2025 |title=Google will block sideloading of unverified Android apps starting next year |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Android/comments/1n0f5zt/google_will_block_sideloading_of_unverified/ |access-date=26 Aug 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref> Many argued that Android is becoming indistinguishable from iOS, with some stating they might switch to Apple or Linux since Android's openness was its key advantage.<ref name=":5" /> | The announcement sparked backlash in online communities. On [[Reddit]], users called the change ''"complete bullshit"'' and accused Google of '''gradually eroding Android's openness'''.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=26 Aug 2025 |title=Google will block sideloading of unverified Android apps starting next year |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Android/comments/1n0f5zt/google_will_block_sideloading_of_unverified/ |access-date=26 Aug 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref> Many argued that Android is becoming indistinguishable from iOS, with some stating they might switch to Apple or Linux since Android's openness was its key advantage.<ref name=":5" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Schenck |first=Stephen |date=27 Aug 2025 |title=With developer verification, I'm struggling to think of Android as a proper smartphone platform |url=https://www.androidauthority.com/android-developer-registration-3591988/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250828113543/https://www.androidauthority.com/android-developer-registration-3591988/ |archive-date=28 Aug 2025 |access-date=28 Aug 2025 |website=Android Authority}}</ref> | ||
Independent developers raised concerns that hobby projects or sensitive apps (e.g., protest tools, ad-blockers) would be stifled, as not all creators are willing to submit government IDs to Google.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 Aug 2025 |title=Google will allow only apps from verified developers to be installed on Android |url=https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45017028 |url-status=live |access-date=26 Aug 2025 |website=Hacker News}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite web |date=26 Aug 2025 |title=Google wants to verify all app developers' identities |url=https://discuss.grapheneos.org/d/25235-google-wants-to-verify-all-app-developers-identities |url-status=live |access-date=26 Aug 2025 |website=GrapheneOS Discussion Forum}}</ref> Open-source communities, including GrapheneOS developers, argued this would discourage FOSS development and give Google exclusive control over Android's ecosystem.<ref name=":6" /> | Independent developers raised concerns that hobby projects or sensitive apps (e.g., protest tools, ad-blockers) would be stifled, as not all creators are willing to submit government IDs to Google.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 Aug 2025 |title=Google will allow only apps from verified developers to be installed on Android |url=https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45017028 |url-status=live |access-date=26 Aug 2025 |website=Hacker News}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite web |date=26 Aug 2025 |title=Google wants to verify all app developers' identities |url=https://discuss.grapheneos.org/d/25235-google-wants-to-verify-all-app-developers-identities |url-status=live |access-date=26 Aug 2025 |website=GrapheneOS Discussion Forum}}</ref> Open-source communities, including GrapheneOS developers, argued this would discourage FOSS development and give Google exclusive control over Android's ecosystem.<ref name=":6" /><ref>{{Cite web |first=Sarang |date=26 Aug 2025 |title=Finally Over: Google Blocks Sideloading of Android Apps |url=https://www.androidsage.com/2025/08/26/google-blocks-sideloading-of-android-apps/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250827/https://www.androidsage.com/2025/08/26/google-blocks-sideloading-of-android-apps/ |archive-date=27 Aug 2025 |access-date=28 Aug 2025 |website=Android Sage}}</ref> | ||
Conversely, some security experts and industry groups welcomed the move, calling it a reasonable compromise that still allows third-party distribution while deterring anonymous malware authors.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /> Critics countered that determined attackers could still exploit stolen IDs, and that this introduces a "choke point" giving Google leverage over all app installs.<ref name=":3" /> | Conversely, some security experts and industry groups welcomed the move, calling it a reasonable compromise that still allows third-party distribution while deterring anonymous malware authors.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /> Critics countered that determined attackers could still exploit stolen IDs, and that this introduces a "choke point" giving Google leverage over all app installs.<ref name=":3" /> | ||