Google to require developer verification to install and sideload Android apps

Re:Google to require developer verification to install and s... by aerostable_slug on Monday August 25, 2025 @06:36PM (#45019983)

They're trying to control malware. Tying apps that may be malicious to an identity that takes some degree of cost and effort to establish seems sensible in that light.

It's not that the identity prevents malware/abuse, but publishing any malware to the store burns the identity and establishing another is harder than simply coming up with a new email address. It's not necessarily the best scheme out of there, but it makes sense given their apparent goal.

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Re:Google to require developer verification to install and s... by o11c on Monday August 25, 2025 @07:02PM (#45020221)

That would be a reasonable argument if it weren't the world's biggest malware vendor doing this.

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Re:Google to require developer verification to install and s... by srcreigh on Monday August 25, 2025 @08:02PM (#45020677)

I'll take some downvotes too. Google software is malware by all definitions of the word. Exfiltration of personal data, unauthorized access and control of personal devices. Data loss when your account gets banned. Deceptive prompts and messaging. They promote SEO spam sites which contain MBs of javascript showing you ads that make them money while you pay for the electricity cost.

They do a lot of other horrible things too, they could expand the definition of malware.

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Re:Google to require developer verification to install and s... by platevoltage on Monday August 25, 2025 @10:02PM (#45021447)

I got you. upvoted.

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Re:Google to require developer verification to install and s... by anthk on Tuesday August 26, 2025 @12:57AM (#45022415)

Remember the spyware and adware from late 90's and 00's? Now it's the norm except for free as in freedom based computers.

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