Open Source Android Repository F-Droid Says Google's New Rules Will Shut It Down (f-droid.org)
(Monday September 29, 2025 @05:41PM (msmash)
from the register-or-die dept.)
- Reference: 0179592368
- News link: https://tech.slashdot.org/story/25/09/29/2015257/open-source-android-repository-f-droid-says-googles-new-rules-will-shut-it-down
- Source link: https://f-droid.org/en/2025/09/29/google-developer-registration-decree.html
F-Droid has warned that Google's [1]upcoming developer verification program will [2]kill the free and open source app repository . Google announced plans several weeks ago to force all Android app developers to register their apps and identity with the company. Apps not validated by Google will not be installable on certified Android devices.
F-Droid says it cannot require developers to register with Google or take over app identifiers to register for them. The site operators say doing so would effectively take over distribution rights from app authors. Google plans to begin testing the verification scheme in the coming weeks and may charge registration fees. Unverified apps will start being blocked next year in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand before expanding globally in 2027. F-Droid is calling on US and EU regulators to intervene.
[1] https://tech.slashdot.org/story/25/08/25/1716213/google-to-require-identity-verification-for-all-android-app-developers-by-2027
[2] https://f-droid.org/en/2025/09/29/google-developer-registration-decree.html
F-Droid says it cannot require developers to register with Google or take over app identifiers to register for them. The site operators say doing so would effectively take over distribution rights from app authors. Google plans to begin testing the verification scheme in the coming weeks and may charge registration fees. Unverified apps will start being blocked next year in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand before expanding globally in 2027. F-Droid is calling on US and EU regulators to intervene.
[1] https://tech.slashdot.org/story/25/08/25/1716213/google-to-require-identity-verification-for-all-android-app-developers-by-2027
[2] https://f-droid.org/en/2025/09/29/google-developer-registration-decree.html
I *Hate* to Side With Google, But ... (Score:2)
I'm loath to side with Google on anything, but if you're going to manage ANY ecosystem, it seems like a pretty reasonable security step to want to know who is behind the software that's being installed on your users' machines.
The only alternative seems to be "let complete strangers, who could be threat actors, provide apps containing potentially malicious code." I can't really fault Google for preventing that.