How soon before Windows copies this, given they already tried this sorta lockdown with S Mode?
Also, couldn't Ubuntu hypothetically lock down the Snap store like this?
this post was submitted on 19 Feb 2026
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I used the s mode and i was eating my desk in the meantime.
I'm sceptical with Windows, considering that most programs are installed via EXE files, so the outcry will be huge. But I'm not saying it can't be a possibility.
With Ubuntu there would only be a chance of it happening if they also make their distro immutable. That way the user could not as easily install packages the traditional way. But even then there might be ways to disable this immutable mode for troubleshooting. However, this, in my opinion, would cause a mass exodus as Canonical does not have the same advantage as Microsoft or Google have: Windows and android are, to an extent, closed off ecosystems. Thus switching to another system is very hard, as not every software is available on every other system, so potentially subpar alternatives and comparability layers, whose functionality mostly depends on whether the company behind the original system is actively fighting against these tools or not. Ubuntu on the other hand, is a Linux distro, so you cab make it like Theseus and recreate this distro more or less with the sum of its parts, if need be.
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How do we defend our privacy on Android now?
Privacy isn't really in their interest. They feed off our data.
That's obvious, but before, we could use GrapheneOS and F-Droid etc to defend it ourselves. I'm not expecting Google to help, just hoping the resistance has something up its sleeve too.
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What does this mean for GrapheneOS and similar degoogled android versions?
It means they fork and they're going to need funding to keep up with security work at least.
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Feels a lot more interesting to just pick up a feature phone, and use it as a hotspot modem for a laptop.
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In the meantime port linux OSs to be easilly installable on Android devices
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The only response I've seen so far from F-Droid is that they've put up a banner to Keep Android Open. Has there been any kind of plan for next steps?
They responded to it when it first came up 4 months ago. I'll paste my appropriate comment from that time.
The f-droid team spoke to that in a recent post. The post basically said that if that change isn't stopped on a government level there's no way for them to continue working. They didn't mention roms.
Edit for the link: https://f-droid.org/en/2025/09/29/google-developer-registration-decree.html
Not sure how I should feel about this, if I should support the cause to keep android "open" (when it's everything but), or if I should be happy that this piece of shit OS finally shows it's true colours and people (including me) will finally be forced to find an alternative or stop using this trashware all together.
And hopefully developers finally get serious about GNU/Linux phones.
Until Linux Phones get good, we are seeing a very rough sail ahead. Or just hard fork Android ig if it’s a logical option.
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Sorry to piss off all the Apple shills on here, but sounds like an opportunity to me. I think there's enough of us that want something better and some traction with Graphene and some Linux options. This should be a spark to ignite some fires. I'm disappointed but unsurpised by this news, but also a little excited about the window of motivation and opportunity this opens.
Honestly, I'm worried. Current Linux options are expensive and or shitty. IDK if Sailfish is still a thing. I can't use Apple. If I keep taking good care of my not-so-shitty Xiaomi phone, maybe I have a couple more years until I'm pwned.
PostmarketOS seems promising, though.
If you care about using third-party Android apps, I have good news for you, but grim news for the ecosystem. You will still be able to use third-party apps. But it's going to be harder. You'll probably need to use something like Shizuku or an ADB tool. The first wave of those affected won't be you and me; it'll be people who aren't quite as technically competent. Then, slowly, a chilling effect will echo across independent development.
SailfishOS is still very much a thing and they have a brand new phone on the way. Since it hasn't been released yet it's hard to get into specifics, but early interest seems to point in a positive direction at least.
PostmarketOS is already in a good state for a secondary device, though I don't think it can completely replace an Android phone just yet. Most devices still have some fundamental hardware support issues even on the more well supported phones (camera is the big one, call audio is also problematic on a lot of devices). However, as a pocketable Linux machine, it is wonderful. I got a second cheap SIM card so I can have data on my OnePlus 6 postmarketOS phone as there are a lot of tasks that work better on Linux than Android. I keep an Android daily driver but am trying to do less and less on it and more on the postmarketOS device.
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I have F-Droid on my Android phone. Iike having a marketplace where I can download floss apps.
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