Hardware F-Droid warns of possible closure due to Google's policy changes

[CyberDevil]

Content source

https://f-droid.org/en/2025/09/29/google-developer-registration-decree.html

The open-source app store F-Droid has issued a warning that Google’s recently announced mandatory developer registration — requiring government ID, fees, and binding application identifiers — could effectively end independent app distribution outside Google Play. F-Droid stresses that this move is not about security but about consolidating corporate control over the Android ecosystem.

They are calling on developers, users, and digital freedom advocates to take action by writing to lawmakers — including European senators — and urging regulators to protect open distribution and the right to sideload apps.

 

[Trident]

They are calling on developers, users, and digital freedom advocates to take action by writing to lawmakers — including European senators — and urging regulators to protect open distribution and the right to sideload apps.

They are calling on developers, users and digital freedom advocates to protect piracy, malware distribution and low-quality software.

 

[CyberDevil]

They are calling on developers, users and digital freedom advocates to protect piracy, malware distribution and low-quality software.

What about geo-blocking and sanctions? What will happen to developers from Russia, Iran … who else is currently under sanctions? It turns out the list of approved developers will be entirely in the hands of the U.S. I have nothing against Big Brother, but I don’t like this consolidation of control. If signatures are required, then there should be a system of certificate authorities like SSL, with multiple authorities instead of just one.

 

[Marko :)]

They are calling on developers, users and digital freedom advocates to protect piracy, malware distribution and low-quality software.

I love how every single time, a company wants to limit the features of the product and/or wants to prevent users from using their devices completely, there's always a motive called security. Same goes for encryption; every single time a government wanted to ban encryption it was always in the name of child safety. Remember how Russia attacked Ukraine and said it was "in order to protect Russian speakers" while entire Ukraine literally spoke Russian every single day?
Now imagine if your government banned free speech because free speech could be used for spreading hate. And the worst thing? It works. You can do any unpopular move and say "it's done in the name of security", and people will believe you.

What Google does is exactly this. They are making moves to close Android like iOS, while twisting the narrative how this is done for user safety. While in fact this is done so Google would have total control over app distribution. Remember when Google said they are moving to MV3 for security reasons? Well, I hate to break it to you, it did nothing for user's security. In fact, Chrome Web Store is riddled with MV3 malicious extensions. You know what it did done? Restricted ad blockers so Google would earn more money.

With Google making Android more and more restrictive, Android isn't becoming any different from the Apple's iOS. And yet, the only reason people use Android is its openness and freedom.

There are many, MANY open source apps not present on Play Store because of Google's requirement(s), which do a way better job than any similar app that is present on Play Store. So no, F-Droid isn't calling on developers to protect piracy or malware distribution, it's calling for freedom of choice. If I want to make my device, unsecure, it's
my right to do so. If I want to install crappy apps, I should have right to do so. And if I want to completely ditch Google and their services, I should have absolute right to do so.

This won't end well for Google at least here in the EU. And I hope EU fines the hell out of them like they did with Apple and Microsoft. EU is the only place in the world were users still have right and a choice; not just an illusion.

 

[Zero Knowledge]

Yes it's bull#### but what can Google do? They can't compete with Apple on security with the current design of Android. And when they do move to secure it people complain.

 

[CyberDevil]

Yes it's bull#### but what can Google do? They can't compete with Apple on security with the current design of Android. And when they do move to secure it people complain.

All Google really needs to do is bury the signature-disabling functions deep under the hood with a warning sign that says: ‘You acknowledge and accept the risk.’ All the other talk about security seems to me like trying to stop a person from hitting themselves in the face with a hammer. To me, it’s already starting to feel like an attempt to lock people up in padded rooms. And I don’t think people choose Apple because of security. I know who chooses Android for freedom, but Apple is chosen for the camera with filters.

 

[Zero Knowledge]

Beg to differ, I think most security pro's & people who choose Apple do so because of security. Most governments use Apple/iOS/iPhones because of the security benefits. You will always get the selfie brigade who wants the best camera or social media features. Android has improved security wise in the last 5 years but is still behind Apple. And I actually really like stock Google Android that comes with Pixel phones, I think besides iOS it's the purest mobile OS out there.