774
Google's shocking developer decree struggles to justify the urgent threat to F-Droid
(www.neowin.net)
Have we ever lived in a more stallmanwasright.jpg time?
this post was submitted on 29 Sep 2025
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I never wanted him to be wrong more than right now. Except for tomorrow, it's probably going to bé worse, tomorrow
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(19 replies)
I am really glad to see these articles popping up now. Since the news broke a week back or so it was suspiciously quiet about this, despite lots of negative comments here.
I’m frustrated that the article didn’t link to the “decree.” Do you know where it is?
EDIT: nvm think I found it
https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2025/08/elevating-android-security.html
EU be like: Really? Didn't you learn from Apple?
Hopefully they go to court to get an injunction. Hopefully, they also go to the powers that be in the EU, those same powers have been so focused on the Apple App Store they failed to take into account Google can do something like this with the Play Store. It would be a shame for the F-Droid project to end but it is completely avoidable.
What we can do is complain. Loudly.
Degoogle where possible. Fuck these assholes.
And i guess prepare.
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(2 replies)
To be fair, up until recently, there was no clear indication that Google would do this. Google made it so that installing non-play store apps was slightly more difficult, Apple made it pretty much impossible. So Apple was a pretty logical target at that point (and honestly, up until then, they had pretty much gotten a free ride - think of the default browser issue in Windows, no one every bothered with Apple).
Best part: the better names in the alt os and device scenes don't sell in us markets.
Unless you do the legwork of flashing your own device, most of us are out of luck.
I just love a good market stranglehold.
My job doesn't allow me to use a jailbroken/rooted device
So if/when this goes through I'll be switching to iOS.
Given the choice between two closed platforms, I'll pick the one that ostensibly says they're privacy focused instead of the one actively enshittifying their product.
I obviously don't know your situation, but using your own phone for work is a bit of a red flag. If you're required to use a phone for work, ideally the job should provide you one that meets their requirements.
Yeah, a mandatory work phone (where the employer can define requirements) should be purchased and funded by the employer.
Exactly.
My work only requires that I have their MFA. They don't care if it's rooted, it just needs to allow me to login. I'm guessing if I pushed back enough, they'd find an alternative.
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(1 replies)
You should just get a cheap phone to use for work. No reason to have their software on your own device. That will undoubtedly be used for creepy purposes.
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(2 replies)
Your job can say what phone you have? I don't get it
The moment my work says what phone I need is the moment I demand they provide a phone for me.