Google defends its new policy, claims it will not make sideloading go away
In August, Google had announced that developers who distribute apps outside the Play Store need to verify their identity. This caused an uproar among fans and developers, as it could virtually kill sideloading.
A few days ago, F-Droid, a popular app store that compiles and hosts open source apps, said it could be forced to shut down due to restrictions created by Google's controversial sideloading rules. Free app distribution is facing its end.
But Google says sideloading will not be affected by its policy, it is fundamental to Android. It insists that the "developer identity requirements are designed to protect users and developers from bad actors, not to limit choice. We want to make sure that if you download an app, it’s truly from the developer it claims to be published from, regardless of where you get the app. Verified developers will have the same freedom to distribute their apps directly to users through sideloading or through any app store they prefer."
See, that's the thing, Google is explaining about the policy on the surface layer, and omitting the aftermath. If Google forces developers to submit their personal information, and charge a registration fee, there is a very good chance that many developers may choose not to. As Android Police notes, even Google's free registration for some developers won't solve this problem. Unless an app has an identifier, a sort of certificate, that is recognized by the Google Play Console, it won't be whitelisted. That would prevent the apps from being installed from third-party sources, aka sideloading. It could spell the doom of the apps, and third-party app marketplaces like F-Droid could die. So it is the ripple effect that's actually concerning, which when considered affects sideloading on the whole.
Why is Google doing this? I explained about this in a comment on another article recently. This is my speculation, Google could use this policy to target apps that affect its services. If an app blocks ads, who's to say Google will approve it? Could the app be rejected for something like "injecting scripts that alter web pages" ? That sounds like a corporate excuse to deny verification. All those apps like NewPipe, Revanced, GrayJay, etc., that let you watch YouTube without ads? Do you think Google is going to grant them permission to continue? Or will it consider the amount of revenue it could earn by blocking these apps? It would claim "they breach YouTube's terms and conditions".
Google's policy could be backed by developers/studios of apps and games that contain in-app purchases and subscriptions, as it could prevent modded apps that users may sideload to get in-app purchases for free. This may result in a significant amount of revenue for those money grabbing apps, and in turn benefit Google's revenue.
These companies will never change, tip-toeing the borders of laws and regulations, to take maximum advantage of the situation. Let's face it, users who download and install apps from third-party stores are way fewer. The average user doesn't sideload apps. That's what they are counting on, it's not about people protesting, their voices won't be heard, because power-users are in the minority, and our views don't matter. The only ones who could actually make a difference are antitrust authorities.
Most phone users think they own their devices, but they haven’t realized that Google is in control. However, many users find the playstore apps to be too polluted with ads and pop-ups. In addition, some users have discovered that these playstore apps are infected with tracking software that sends data to the major social media companies. Now, Google wants to close the door for users to avoid these flaws by using open sw from f-droid. It is of course a question of maximizing the financial gain.
You don’t mention googles “data collection”.
Some devs refuse to add it and for that reason alone can’t distribute thier apps via the play store. Now I won’t be able to side them either?
I’m an odd one out, I limit my Android phone use to calls, texts, (local) music, navigation, and as a camera. I’ve disabled ‘assistant’ and anything else ‘google’ that I can and replaced the google apps that I can with ones that don’t need internet.
I use Ghost Commander to move files between my pc and phone, and I had to side load it because the dev refuses to add googles spyware.
This idea should be dropped completely. Developers will no longer be interested Android, which will make sideloading useless. These big tech companies are making life difficult for developers by releasing their personal information when they feel or its not based off their interests. Hopefully Google gets sued to the ground for locking up Android.
This will also lay a foundation that would allow the US government to sink competitors globally, regardless of what the user wants. For example, they could allow the GoPro app, but block any apps from DJI.
I couldn’t believe when google announced this, and immediately thought of the anti-competitive outcomes outlined in the article. Then again, if all they every get is a slap on the wrist and a fine, they may have already done the math and believe that they will bring more additional revenue this way than they would have to pay out in the fines for doing it.