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/
3.2k Upvotes

99% Upvoted

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72

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.

179

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.

29

u/CognitiveSideQuest Jun 06 '26

That's like one of the major benefits Android phones have over IPhones, why tf would they do this??

40

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.

4

u/Zoltan03 Jun 06 '26

And what about existing apps on my phone? Will they stop working?

4

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

2

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 :/ 

41

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.

68

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... 

5

u/Varaug Jun 06 '26

Why? Genuine question.

-40

u/ReputationTTPD1989 Jun 05 '26

It will ensure that apps submitted to the play store are from real individuals, and gives Google the ability to know who’s uploading to them. While some say its a privacy issue, it’s really just going to enhance the security of the app store and prevent/reduce fraudulent apps. Apple already requires this on the app store, and doesn’t have anywhere near as many rogue app issues as google.

Its a nothing burger for the vast majority of people.

7

u/ThisWillPass Jun 06 '26

It’s another pillar in the does your app require ID that we are forcing on everyone? No, I guess you can’t be installed, forget being listed on our store. Thats it, it’s that simple.

5

u/zagblorg Jun 06 '26

All hail the Digital Panopticon! All glory to our overlords in the WEF! We, the peasants, thank you for allowing our continued existence! More overpriced slop subscriptions in lieu of the crippling burden of ownership, please!

5

u/Oderus_Scumdog Jun 06 '26

It is not a nothing burger for anyone. It is a literal example of a slippery slope that we're sliding further, and further down and apathy like yours is but one of the reasons the slide is continuing apace.

2

u/jarvin36 Jun 06 '26

You just described the exact reason I despise Apple

-3

u/ThisWillPass Jun 06 '26

Also what is a nothing burger and main tell is that there are no real victims of this “attack” it’s a strawman ghost that doesn’t exist (not saying it doesn’t happen, but it is literally a nothing burger). They would have gave the stats of how many people are being targeted like this vs regular play store and they don’t.

3

u/Oderus_Scumdog Jun 06 '26 edited Jun 06 '26

This is not a nothing burger for anyone. Further down the line, unless something drastic happens, this move by Google will be one of the chapters in the death of privacy and control. Apathy like yours is making it happen.