Free Android app store F-Droid asks users to lobby government regulators to take action. Google says the move is needed to reduce the risk of malware infecting Android devices.
A „Keep Android Open“ campaign is pushing back on new rules from Google that will reportedly block unverified users from sideloading apps on Android phones.
It’s unclear who’s running the campaign, but a blog post on the free Android app store F-Droid is directing users to visit the campaign’s website, which urges the public to lobby government regulators to intervene and stop the upcoming restrictions.
„Developers should have the right to create and distribute software without submitting to unnecessary corporate surveillance“, reads an open letter posted to the site.
In August, Google announced upcoming rules aimed at reducing the risk of malware infecting Android devices. It will require that all app installs on certified Android devices only occur if the developer has been verified by Google. For individual developers, this includes submitting an official ID, address, phone number, and paying a $25 fee.
