Amidst all the chaos in the world, some significant moves are being orchestrated that could potentially have detrimental effects on people’s privacy and right to choose. Google’s Developer Verification program falls under the latter.
Starting September 2026 (in certain regions), any app installed on a certified Android device will need to come from a developer who has gone through Google’s new verification process. This applies regardless of where the app comes from: the Play Store, a third-party storefront, or a direct APK download.
To get verified, developers must register through a dedicated Android Developer Console and provide their legal name, address, email address, and phone number. In some cases, they will also need to upload a government-issued ID.
I feel like if it gets put in AOSP it will still be possible to remove since it’s open source. My biggest concern is just not having any new hardware available to even run the alternatives. There are already few devices that still have unlockable bootloaders, and Googles own device are some of the most prominent ones. And with OS level age verification laws popping up everywhere there’s even more incentive for manufacturers to lock the bootloader