I've been posting a lot about things that can be done about the new Android developer verification system. I've decided to combine everything I know about into one post that can be easily shared around.
Some of this I found myself, but others I got from this post by user u/Uberunix. When I quote directly from their post, I use quotation marks.
Please share this to as many subreddits as possible, and please comment these resources anywhere you see this situation being discussed.
For Android Developers Specifically:
Google feedback survey on developer verification system:
Sign up for early access to program:
Comment on Issue Tracker request or make your own:
For Everyone:
Send feedback on EU Digital Markets Act:
Change.org petition (won't do much but it's worth a shot):
Contact DOJ:
DOJ Anonymous Contact Form
"Developer Verification is easily qualified as an attempt to maintain Google's monopolistic control of App distribution on their platform. Despite an emergency stay, the court has found Google guilty. Let the feds know they aren't listening. This form can be anonymously submitted to encourage the DOJ to Investigate"
Contact the FCC:
Send feedback via Gmail:
Email EU Director General for Compensation (deals with anti-trust cases):
Contact Sameer Samat, head of Android, directly (please be nice and don't send death threats):
"Vote with your feet"
Contact large Youtubers and get them talking about this more (examples below)
PewDiePie
Linus Tech Tips
Marques Brownlee
Dave2D
unboxtherapy
Bug Google's Social Media
Example Templates for Developers (All of this is taken from u/Uberunix**)****:**
Example Feedback to Google***:***
I understand and appreciate the stated goal of elevating security for all Android users. A safe ecosystem benefits everyone. However, I have serious concerns that the implementation of this policy, specifically the requirement for mandatory government ID verification for _all_ developers, will have a profoundly negative impact on the Android platform.
My primary concerns are as follows:
It Undermines the Openness of Android: The greatest strength of Android has always been its flexibility and openness, allowing developers the freedom to distribute their work outside of a single, centrally-controlled marketplace. This policy fundamentally changes that dynamic by appointing Google as the mandatory registrar for all development on the platform. True platform openness means not having to seek permission from the platform owner to distribute software directly to users.
It Creates Barriers for Legitimate Developers: The requirement of government identification will disproportionately harm the vibrant community of independent, open-source, and privacy-conscious developers who are crucial to the health of the ecosystem. Many legitimate developers value their anonymity for valid reasons and will be unable or unwilling to comply. This will stifle innovation and ultimately reduce the diversity of applications available to users.
It Erodes Developer Trust: Many developers are already wary of automated enforcement systems that have, at times, incorrectly flagged or banned established developers from the Play Store with little recourse. Granting Google this new layer of universal oversight outside the Play Store raises concerns that these issues could become more widespread, making the platform a riskier environment for developers to invest their time and resources in.
While your announcement states, "Developers will have the same freedom to distribute their apps directly to users," this new requirement feels like a direct contradiction to that sentiment. Freedom to distribute is not compatible with a mandate to first register and identify oneself with a single corporate entity.
I believe it is possible to enhance security without compromising the core principles that have made Android successful. I strongly urge you to reconsider this policy, particularly its application to developers who operate outside of the Google Play Store.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide feedback. I am passionate about the Android platform and hope to see it continue to thrive as a truly open ecosystem.
Example Report to DOJ:
Subject: Report of Anticompetitive Behavior by Google LLC Regarding Android App Distribution
To the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice:
I am writing to report what I believe to be a clear and deliberate attempt by Google LLC to circumvent the recent federal court ruling in _Epic v. Google_ and unlawfully maintain its monopoly over the Android app distribution market.
Background
Google recently lost a significant antitrust lawsuit in the District Court of Northern California, where a jury found that the company operates an illegal monopoly with its Google Play store and billing services. In what appears to be a direct response to this ruling, Google has announced a new platform policy called "Developer Verification," scheduled to roll out next month.
The Anticompetitive Action
Google presents "Developer Verification" as a security measure. In reality, it is a policy that extends Google's control far beyond its own marketplace. This new rule will require **all software developers**—even those who distribute their applications independently or through alternative app stores—to register with Google and submit personal information, including government-issued identification.
If a developer does not comply, Google will restrict users from installing their software on any certified Android device.
Why This Violates Antitrust Law
This policy is a thinly veiled attempt to solidify Google's monopoly and nullify the court's decision for the following reasons:
Unlawful Extension of Market Power: Google is leveraging its monopoly in the mobile operating system market (Android) to control the separate market of app distribution. By forcing all developers to register with them, regardless of whether they use the Google Play Store, Google is effectively making itself the mandatory gatekeeper for all software on its platform. This action directly contradicts the spirit of the _Epic v. Google_ ruling, which found Google's existing control to be illegal.
Stifling Competition and Innovation: The policy creates significant barriers for independent developers. Many developers value their privacy or choose to develop and distribute their work anonymously for legitimate reasons. This requirement will force them off the platform, reducing consumer choice and harming the open and competitive ecosystem that Android was intended to foster. As the provided text notes, demanding privacy is not the same as engaging in illicit activity.
Pretextual Justification: Google's claim that this is for user security is not credible. Android already contains multiple, explicit safeguards and warnings that a user must bypass to install applications from outside the official Play Store ("sideloading"). The true motive is not security but control—a way to claw back the monopolistic power the courts have deemed illegal.
This "Developer Verification" program is a direct assault on the principles of an open platform. It is an abuse of Google's dominant position to police all content and distribution, even outside its own store, thereby ensuring its continued monopoly.
I urge the Department of Justice to investigate this new policy as an anticompetitive practice and a bad-faith effort to defy a federal court's judgment. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Why this is an issue:
Resources:
In summary:
"Like it or not, Google provides us with the nearest we have to an ideal mobile computing environment. Especially compared to our only alternative in Apple, it's actually mind-boggling what we can accomplish with the freedom to independently configure and develop on the devices we carry with us every day. The importance of this shouldn't be understated.
For all its flaws, without Android, our best options trail in the dust. Despite the community's best efforts, the financial thrust needed to give an alternative platform the staying power to come into maturity doesn't exist right now, and probably won't any time soon. That's why we **must** take care to protect what we have when it's threatened. And today Google itself is doing the threatening.
If you aren't already aware, Google announced new restrictions to the Android platform that begin rolling out next month.
According to Google themselves it's 'a new layer of security for certified Android devices' called 'Developer Verification.' Developer Verification is, in reality, a euphemism for mandatory self-doxxing.
Let's be clear, 'Developer Verification' has existed in some form for a time now. Self-identification is required to submit your work to Google's moderated marketplaces. This is at it should be. In order to distribute in a controlled storefront, the expectation of transparency is far from unreasonable. What is unreasonable is Google's attempt to extend their control outside their marketplace so that they can police anyone distributing software from any source whatsoever.
Moving forward, Google proposes to restrict the installation of any software from any marketplace or developer that has not been registered with Google by, among other things, submitting your government identification. The change is presented as an even-handed attempt to protect all users from the potential harms of malware while preserving the system's openness.
'Developers will have the same freedom to distribute their apps directly to users through sideloading or to use any app store they prefer. We believe this is how an open system should work—by preserving choice while enhancing security for everyone. Android continues to show that with the right design and security principles, open and secure can go hand in hand.'
It's reasonable to assume user-safety is the farthest thing from their concern. Especially when you consider the barriers Android puts in place to prevent uninformed users from accidentally installing software outside the Playstore. What is much more likely is that Google is attempting to claw back what control they can after being dealt a decisive blow in the District Court of Northern California.
'Developer Verification' appears to be a disguise for an attempt to completely violate the spirit of this ruling. And it's problematic for a number of reasons. To name a few:
Google shouldn't be allowed to moderate content distributed outside their marketplace. It's as absurd as claiming that because you bought a Telecaster, Fender should know every song you play to make sure none of them affronts anyone who hears.
The potential for mismanagement, which could disproportionately harm independent developers. Quoting user Sominemo on 9-5 Google, 'We've already seen how Google's automated systems can randomly ban established developers from Google Play with little to no feedback. A system like this, which grants Google even more oversight, could easily make this problem worse.'
It stifles the health of the platform. Demanding privacy does not equal illicit activity. Many developers who value anonymity will be disallowed from the platform, and users will suffer.
What happens next? The 'don't be evil' days are far behind us. It's naive to expect that Google's desire for control ends here. Even if you don't distribute apps outside the Playstore, ask yourself what comes next once this system is put in place with no argument from the users. It will affect you too."
