Keep Android Open – Defense against Google's ban on anonymous apps
Google wants to enforce authentication from all app publishers – including sideloaders beyond the Play Store. A call is now protesting against it.
(Image: Alberto Garcia Guillen/Shutterstock.com)
Parts of the Android developer community are pushing back against Google's gradually introduced sideloading rules, which require authentication of app publishers – even those publishing outside the official Android Play Store – in a public call named "Keep Android Open".
The call of unknown origin particularly criticizes that Google is taking away the right from smartphone customers to install the software they want. Developers, on the other hand, can no longer distribute apps directly.
Furthermore, the measure takes away a piece of digital sovereignty from society. The call points out that Google is "a company that demonstrably complies with the out-of-court demands of authoritarian governments to remove perfectly legal apps that they happen not to like."
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Against Monopolization and Overpowering
The initiative now calls on developers not to comply with the registration requirement: "Politely respond to every invitation with a list of your concerns and objections." They should also contact their respective regulatory authorities and draw attention to the dangers of "monopolies and the centralization of power in the technology sector."
This is followed by a long list of contact addresses for the respective authorities worldwide. Furthermore, Keep Android Open points to a petition from Change.org.
In forums, a certain connection of the call is seen with the alternative Android app store F-Droid. The text recommends "Install F-Droid" first under miscellaneous, and conversely, F-Droid has a blog post, that promotes the initiative: "To learn more about what you can do as a consumer, visit keepandroidopen.org."
Sideloading only after registration and authentication
Google had announced in the summer that publishers of all apps to be installed on Android devices must register. They must provide proof of identity: individuals with an ID, companies with a DUNS number. Google intends to enforce this measure gradually to strengthen security in 2026 and 2027. The company clarified, however, that it does not intend to ban sideloading itself. There are also free accounts for small projects and hobby developers.
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