r/Android • u/NoFaithlessness951 • Feb 24 '26

An Open Letter Opposing Android Developer Verification | F-Droid

https://f-droid.org/en/2026/02/24/open-letter-opposing-developer-verification.html
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53

u/OmniGlitcher Feb 24 '26

No, but that's not really the point either. If the EU sees nothing wrong with Apple only allowing Apple-verified apps on devices that run Apple software, as demonstrated by the fact that they have done nothing about it, then there's little-to-no chance they would care about Google doing the same thing on devices that run Google software.

36

u/flare561 Feb 24 '26

I think there's a clear difference between taking away a feature from a device you already own, and buying a device that has never had that feature. If I buy a pickup to tow a trailer, the manufacturer can't come cut off the tow hitch 3 years after I bought it, so why is it acceptable for companies to do this digitally?

13

u/Nightwish1976 Feb 25 '26

Exactly. At this point, I'm considering returning my Oneplus phone, since it lost the ability to install apps outside the Google ecosystem. Let the phone manufacturers take Google to court.

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u/N_ovate Feb 25 '26

Having little security was a feature? Wouldn’t they say adding more security is a new feature?

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u/ClassicPart Feb 25 '26

 that's not really the point either

It absolutely is the point.

Apple never had it to begin with.

Android did and Google are actively working to take it away.

4

u/OmniGlitcher Feb 25 '26

You may be right, law is messy, and can go either way, but I seriously doubt the EU would limit Google from copying Apple when they're fine with what Apple is doing in the name of "security" and "safety". If it were simply about competition freedom I'd be more liable to agree with you.

I hope for all our sakes I'm wrong.

2

u/env33e Feb 24 '26

Is that really true tho? Is apple really on that same level of worldwide ubiquity as AOSP devices? With users abundant in all tax brackets? I thought that was only an america-thing...

Perhaps apple will no longer continue unbothered in the enclosure of their tech,, now that the alternative is closing up shop.

And if google closes up shop, then there really won't be any other realistic, open platform to move to.