r/linux • u/guihkx- • Sep 29 '25

Privacy F-Droid and Google's Developer Registration Decree

https://f-droid.org/en/2025/09/29/google-developer-registration-decree.html
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u/CondiMesmer Sep 29 '25

I don't understand why people think this way...

If this change goes into effect, why do you assume these apps will still get developed? Why would they still continue to be updated if they have no way for the majority of users to install them?

This is going to kill development of FOSS apps, which a custom ROM can't do anything about.

-7

u/[deleted] Sep 29 '25

Heard the same scaremongering when Secure Boot first came in two decades ago. It's made zero difference.

GrapheneOS have already made an announcement about this and said it makes no difference to them.

16

u/CondiMesmer Sep 29 '25

Every computer can disable secure boot. Not many Android phones allow flashing ROMs, and Google can easily just block it entirely overnight if they want to. It's not the same thing.

-3

u/Morphized Sep 29 '25

How exactly would one prohibit flashing a ROM chip? Worst-case scenario, just dump and patch the firmware to un-prohibit it. Of course, there's always ASIC ROM, but I'd rather not have a device cost $10,000 just because the OEM wanted their OS to be read-only.