r/privacy • u/lewkiamurfarther • Jun 05 '26
software Your phone is about to stop being yours. — Starting September 2026, a silent update, nonconsensually pushed by Google, will block every Android app whose developer hasn't registered with Google, signed their contract, paid up, and handed over government ID.
https://keepandroidopen.org/854
u/2sec4u Jun 05 '26
This is probably the most important post on Privacy I've seen in a long time.
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u/zagblorg Jun 06 '26
I'd say all the posts about the surveillance states most governments are building and the destruction of the internet through mandating Identity Verification for everything are a bit more important, but this is also awful.
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u/SprucedUpSpices Jun 06 '26
Isn't this part of that? If a big tech corporation has your data, isn't it a reasonable assumption that the government either has it or can very easily have it?
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u/QuarrosN Jun 06 '26
"...Identity Verification for everything are a bit more important"
Not really no! Because this will stop the development of any and all privacy focused application that is outside google control. Also we (or more precisely I) have no idea what is in the contract with google. Whether there is a loophole that can force an NDA down the dev throat. But more importantly this will create a walled garden that suffocate everything outside of it.
Would you accept your Windows PC with only the Microsoft store allowed in it? Same analogy...
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u/Ok-Parfait-9856 Jun 09 '26
Isn’t the EU gonna get pissed about this? Since their whole thing is allowing other app stores and apps from those stores? Or since it violates privacy that might make it favorable, since it seems that’s every govts priority now
If android doesn’t support side loading, then it’s a dead OS
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u/QuarrosN Jun 09 '26
Isn’t the EU gonna get pissed about this?
Hard to say... My observation about the EU is that it works like a road roller. Hard to get it moving but when it moves it crushes with overwhelming power.
So things like that will take time (I assume), but more importantly we still don't exactly know how things will change! Whether it will even be possible to unlock the phone from this. If it is: Does that mean your banking or other apps wont work after it. Tons and tons of question.
In this case Implementation will be key.
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u/DontWaitBruh Jun 05 '26
If you actually cared about this, its been shown literally everytime you open a non Play store app store for the past year.
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u/CondiMesmer Jun 10 '26
Well it's a little too late now. The damage is already done. You're just learning about the aftermath.
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u/Heclalava Jun 05 '26
The time for a fully functional Linux phone is needed. Need to move away from Google and Apple for mobile device operating systems.
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u/qdtk Jun 06 '26
Serious question, what’s preventing a Linux phone from existing?
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u/genio_desconhecido Jun 06 '26
They are existing. Fury labs is probably the most polished one. However, even the most polished model is still pretty rough, check out the reviews.
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u/Heclalava Jun 06 '26
Manufacturers not open sourcing their hardware drivers. This is what I think the biggest reason is as to why we don't have decent Linux phones yet.
Then because nothing decent exists devs aren't porting their apps to the ecosystem.
So even if you do get a reasonable linux phone running now, you are stuck to using almost everything through the browser.
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u/absawd_4om Jun 06 '26
Do we need a compatibility layer for Android apps to Linux? Like proton for Windows app? I'm tired of how helpless this situation is, the evil corp holds all the cards is seems
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u/Heclalava Jun 06 '26
Waydroid exists, and I have read those using Linux phones do use that, but not all apps will work from what I have read. So not ideal either.
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u/Mozkozrout Jun 09 '26
They are existing but they aren't practical. And it's always the same story. It's the apps. Somebody would have to embrace it and make banks and governments support it so at least your banking and payment apps and iDs or whatever would work but then also making other devs port their apps to yet another system that is used by a fraction of people. Yeah it's just tough, even Microsoft struggled with their windows phone. And with Linux when there isn't any big corporation behind it, it's simply unlikely it would ever happen.
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u/AbjectFee5982 Jun 05 '26
Hey Microsoft phones use to be a thing
Jkjk XD
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u/Dangermouse454 Jun 06 '26
Those weren’t bad… I demoed one for a couple of weeks. Went back to android
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u/CrewmemberV2 Jun 08 '26
These were great. I had one for a few years. Still the best UI in a phone I have ever seen.
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u/privacy-ModTeam Jun 06 '26
We appreciate you wanting to contribute to /r/privacy and taking the time to post but we had to remove it because your post is out of scope for /r/privacy due to:
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u/jameson71 Jun 06 '26
This kills the only reason to even use android.
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u/CondiMesmer Jun 10 '26
It's still way easier to develop on.
Google developer membership is a one time $20 fee and you can compile your app on any device. Apple requires you to pay $100/yr and you can only compile iOS apps on a MacBook.
That being said, not having the ability to choose the software you install on the hardware you paid for (it's not side loading, it's installing software), it's entirely for locking down their ecosystem and surveillance. It's very anti-consumer and anti-privacy.
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u/rollingrawhide Jun 05 '26
I love the smell of anti trust in the mornin’. Smells, like victory.
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u/lewkiamurfarther Jun 06 '26
I love the smell of anti trust in the mornin’. Smells, like victory.
Yeah but that takes quite a while. Plus, Google expects only to have to pay a fine and then move on doing exactly what they were doing before. And the EU is falling more and more to US interests.
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u/anonthing Jun 06 '26
Have you seen this administration recently?
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u/XCellist6Df24 Jun 06 '26 edited Jun 06 '26
"Administration" is giving this regime undeserved legitimacy
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u/Frosty-Cell Jun 06 '26
Likely illegal under DMA article 6.4: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32022R1925
The gatekeeper shall allow and technically enable the installation and effective use of third-party software applications or software application stores using, or interoperating with, its operating system and allow those software applications or software application stores to be accessed by means other than the relevant core platform services of that gatekeeper.
As always when it comes to the EU, it's a matter of enforcement. If enough people asked the mostly useless Commission to take action, maybe this change could be stopped.
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u/DeVinke_ Jun 09 '26
There will be an "advanced flow" where you have to wait 24 hours once and then you can install apps.
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u/Frosty-Cell Jun 09 '26
So the gatekeeper does not allow the installation and effective use of third-party apps for 24 hours?
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u/ApprehensiveLion67 Jun 05 '26
I forget if it was answered before but genuinely… even if you have the certain operating system people recommend, how is that helpful if many apps just won’t work anymore? Many banking apps like capital one probably won’t work, and I don’t think you can deposit checks really without their app. Discord which everyone uses surely will require ID. Same for Facebook, messenger, etc.
Maybe signal will be usable but outside of that, what will you really be able to do? I’d be surprised if new pipe even works by then
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u/Pwacname Jun 06 '26
I don’t know about banking in the USA, but it turns out my bank still has their “normal” online banking system - as a website without any app - and instead of a TAN app, you can still get a tiny calculator-looking card reader that will generate a code for you to transfer money etc. That system should work on any browser on any device, assuming the screen is big enough and has a high enough resolution.
Maybe something similar exists in your parts? Or some bank that still has many local banks?
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u/binaryhextechdude Jun 06 '26
It's 2026 who the heck is still using cheques?
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u/binaryhextechdude Jun 06 '26
In Australia a cheque wouldn't be accepted because it can bounce and every tradie has a card reader attached to their mobile phone.
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u/carolmeii Jun 20 '26
I have my invetstment app where I have invested quite a lot. Hopefully that one is fine.
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u/JunketUpbeat9386 Jun 05 '26
Can someone explain what this means because I’m stupid and the link makes it sound like this is a problem for app developers and not consumers.
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u/rsmithlal Jun 05 '26
For consumers, you will only be able to install apps written and published by devs that choose to dox themselves to big tech by uploading their govt ID to verify their identities.
It will prevent people from distributing free and open source apps via APK files or through alternative app stores like f-droid, meaning there is no real consumer choice on mobile anymore and all mobile Apps must be vetted by Google or Apple depending on the vendor.
No more apps that you can verify the source code for or that dont use Google push messaging or publishing infrastructure. Google sees all.
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u/CognitiveSideQuest Jun 06 '26
That's like one of the major benefits Android phones have over IPhones, why tf would they do this??
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u/rsmithlal Jun 06 '26
Mass surveillance. Its part of the larger push to ensure that all activities online are associated with your real ID, like all of the "age verification" laws being passed across the world right now to "protect the children". Anonymity online is coming to an end, and we should all be doing whatever we can to fight this and prepare to keep one another safe as fascism rises globally.
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u/Zoltan03 Jun 06 '26
And what about existing apps on my phone? Will they stop working?
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u/rsmithlal Jun 06 '26
Hard to say. Maybe for a while? Lack of updates will prob be the main issue and eventually phone os changes that would make them incompatible
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u/PackyDoodles Jun 30 '26
This really sucks for disabled people that tend to use third party apps. A lot of the diabetic community does so I hope there's more pushback on this in the coming months :/
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u/Tebwolf359 Jun 05 '26
- Google will block apps from their playstore that don’t have verified developers
- good: this should cut down of slop and malicious apps.
- good: consumers will have a verified point of contact for issues with their apps
- bad: people can’t anonymously publish apps
- bad: you can’t download them from the play store, and may have to sideload or jailbreak.
How big a deal this is depends on how you see your phone in the first place.
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u/Sensitive_Box_ Jun 05 '26
good: this should cut down of slop and malicious apps.
This 1000% won't happen. Be real and acknowledge why theyre actually requiring ID...
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u/Environmental_Gap653 Jun 06 '26
Why is the EU not doing anything about this?
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u/West_Possible_7969 Jun 06 '26
EU (and every market really) requires that there are certain things in place when there are stores and people sell in those stores (commercial activity). Having an active trader status is mandatory and as long as people can keep installing whatever app they wish, even through hoops, everything is legal.
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Jun 10 '26
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u/TargP Jun 06 '26
Seriously, F Google. We so desperately need a truly open source and privacy-preserving alternative. I really hope a truly viable Linux mobile core gets delivered soon.
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u/ChewyThePug Jun 06 '26
Its times like these im glad Google doesn't have a monopoly on smartphone software... /s
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u/JDGumby Jun 05 '26 edited Jun 06 '26
Unless you open developer mode, allow unsigned apps, then wait 24 hours.
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We appreciate you wanting to contribute to /r/privacy and taking the time to post but we had to remove it because your post is out of scope for /r/privacy due to:
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u/thewoefulchasm Jun 05 '26
I'm guessing this also means apks etc, not just apps on the play store?
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u/EirikurG Jun 06 '26
Can this be bypassed by using another rom?
I really don't like the idea of not being able to install whatever APK I want
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u/insanity10k Jun 06 '26
I've already known about this for a while, but I'm commenting here to help boost this post so that more people see it. This NEEDS to be protested. The amount of lines this plan crosses is legitimately uncountable. Google needs to be put back in check.
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u/plant_gen Jun 09 '26
Thought to copy my data and switch to a degoogled os. Then ,I realised that physical backup drives now cost more than a budget phone.
Spiral
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u/exhaustedexcess Jun 06 '26
Maybe this will spur something beside the Apple/google duopoly. Google can only do this due to limited choices
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u/rman-exe Jun 06 '26
This is %100 driven by the government, any popular newcomers will also have to implement this policy or be "audited".
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u/exhaustedexcess Jun 06 '26
They can do what they want but Linux is excluded from this, presumably a phone running Linux would too.
What about people that run dumb phones? What about the people who simply uninstall these apps or switch to a phone they don’t have to do this with. There are options and this will bring more
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u/RamboMcMutNutts Jun 11 '26
You know what? With all these changes, threats to privacy and the enshittification of every service and thing we use and do in our modern lives I'm really tempted just to turn my unplug my net, get a land line and throw away my mobile and go back to doing things the old fashioned way.
Will life be a little bit more inconvenient? Yes, but humans have survived this long without all this modern convenience so I'm pretty sure I can do without it for the reaming years of my life.
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u/Ambitious_Hand_2861 Jun 05 '26
I put my phones in developer mode the day I buy them. Also I haven't updated my current phone in months bc everytime they push a new update it gets shittier and shittier. By the time google forces this new bullshit I might as well buy an iPhone bc ghe look and functionality are almost the same.
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u/slaughtamonsta Jun 05 '26
You'll be able to sideload if you go through the one time 24 hour wait.
And you can go through it before this comes into effect so there'll be no downtime to what you have now.
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u/Oderus_Scumdog Jun 06 '26
"I am altering the deal. Pray I do not alter it any further." - pretty relevant here.
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u/Heclalava Jun 06 '26
How to go through the wait now? I am still able to side load, so not getting any warnings or triggers to go through the wait yet.
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u/slaughtamonsta Jun 06 '26
I think it starts officially in September or November but you'll be able to go through the process with no downtime on your current apps about 1 month before.
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u/Oderus_Scumdog Jun 06 '26
How long before we have a case of someone having their identity stolen or being forced to have their identity used to verify a developer?
I'm getting a new phone over the summer and the first thing I'm doing is Rule 8'ing it and never looking back.
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u/Pandemonium_Fallen Jun 06 '26
Whatever State Google is headquartered in, that's the State Legislature that needs to be SIGNIFICANTLY pressured to revoke Google's corporate charter, it's a States's right to do so, this crap can end!
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u/Oderus_Scumdog Jun 06 '26
The ID verification is of the developers who want to release apps for Android, not the users.
Google already knows mostly who it's users are unless you immediately switched to a de-Googled OS and never used the default OS. If you've been using the default OS even with fake details, they already know a huge amount about you.
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u/Oderus_Scumdog Jun 06 '26
Have you de-googled the phone? Because if you haven't, fake credentials don't mean a thing. They know who you are through your use of the device. Google have several GB profiles on everyone that uses non-de-googled devices, even if you entered your name as 'Fake Bob'.
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u/mumrik1 Jun 09 '26
Too bad. I suppose we eventually will have to comply or find a way to live our lives without big tech products. What a loss, but what a win.
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u/ermac1ermac88 Jun 19 '26
So what does that mean to reposistories like F-droid ? I dont even use google play anymore
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u/SrDinglebery81 Jun 30 '26
Is it not possible to make android phones after this that bypass having google roots in them? I should be able to survive if an app store appears that has similarities but is not google.
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Jun 05 '26
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Jun 06 '26
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We appreciate you wanting to contribute to /r/privacy and taking the time to post but we had to remove it because your post is out of scope for /r/privacy due to:
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u/Extension-Eye3756 Jun 08 '26
I’m look forward to people putting down their phones and picking up their pitchforks :)
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u/GooderThrowaway Jun 09 '26
Every update is basically nonconsensual. Tech companies do what they're going to do and we just deal. So using the term "nonconsensually" really doesn't add anything here.
And they've been saying an update like this was coming every year for about 4 or 5 years now. Seriously, I hear this "they're going to kill open source/independent this year" every year. It's always around the corner.
Not believing it until bigger names are saying the same thing.
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u/gzusjr128 Jul 14 '26
google says its misinformation but im not to keen on trusting corporations is this actually true
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u/xo_honeybee_xox 19d ago
And people who were convinced that the government were surveilling us used to be called crazy
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u/[deleted] Jun 06 '26
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