Your phone is about to stop being yours.

97days until lockdown!

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.

Every app and every device, worldwide, with no opt-out.

Source:
https://keepandroidopen.org/

That is what is happening when idiots flow the playstore with trashy scam apps, we the world brought this on ourselfs. It`s not Blackhat to scam people, it is just trashy.

I thought every developer account required gov id

my phone is an old retro motorola krzr flip phone
2005, texts and calls only. so my phone will always
be mine as it has no internet - and i like that

proxygo said:

my phone is an old retro motorola krzr flip phone
2005, texts and calls only. so my phone will always
be mine as it has no internet - and i like that

Click to expand...

Retro android phone

Actually it has both positive and negative sites. So its complicated. Since it is a must to have from now and on, the apk websites will get benefited. and there might be another market where apps will be published and distributed.

I really thought it was always the case. When i was researching about launching app on appstore similar things were asked for. But APKs will still thrive in my opinion.

TechnoTycoon said:

Actually it has both positive and negative sites. So its complicated. Since it is a must to have from now and on, the apk websites will get benefited. and there might be another market where apps will be published and distributed.

Click to expand...

You can' install them on GMS phone after lockdown

metsik said:

Retro android phone

Click to expand...

the internet hasnt worked on a 2005 krzr in 10+years

What about F-Droid

I am actually completely in support of this. Even though I usually advocate against Google.

The number of scams, APK based hacks etc. has grown considerably and this needs to now stop entirely.

Here in India - Fake/Scam loan apps have become too commonplace. Targeting desperate individuals with attractive offers, then sending a microloan with 50% being deducted as processing fee. Then asking for it back in a few days, otherwise calling everyone on their contacts.

Scam apps, spoofed apps that mimic crypto markets are also on the rise. Running through telegram.

Then you have Whatsapp based APK install scams claiming to be from the electricity department, transport department or the government - talking about a fine or penalty and sending an APK to install to be able to see what's up.

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This doesn't affect tech savvy folks. But we often forget that tech savvy people aren't the targets of these bad faith actors.

I routinely check my parents' phones for this very reason. Although I've tried to educate them, they often get overwhelmed with options on the screen.

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And Google isn't removing sideloading entirely. They're adding multiple checks/confirmation + a 24 hours cooldown.

Also, de-googled phones will continue to work.

So not sure what the noise is about.