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Uncomfortable Questions About Android Developer Verification

(commonsware.com)
400 points ingve | 1 comments | 27 Aug 25 05:14 UTC | HN request time: 0.206s | source
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llamavore ◴[27 Aug 25 06:41 UTC] No.45036172[source]▶
Maybe we can finally spark an omarchy style user driven linux mobile OS ala DHH?

Or are users just going to face network bans and additional tracking like with grapheneos?

replies(1): >>45036252 #
1. danieldk ◴[27 Aug 25 06:52 UTC] No.45036252[source]▶
Omarchy is just a set of defaults for an existing software stack. The problems here are at a much more fundamental level: getting devices that can be unlocked, getting device drivers/firmware that are also updated on a regular basis, supporting hardware attestation and getting app makers to support it without Google's support (assuming an Android compatibility layer), getting a healthy app ecosystem (if there is no Android compatibility layer).

Currently probably the best route is basing the OS on Android (so that you can benefit from all the existing apps), making a non-hostile reference device, and getting regulators' attention (the EU is probably the most likely to succeed) to break Google's monopoly on attestation.

This is largely what GrapheneOS is currently trying. I think what we can do as users is install GrapheneOS with sandboxed Google Play and for any apps that do not work, contact their developers. If GrapheneOS manages to get millions of users and get on the radar of app developers, that's the best shot I think.

But it feels like the window is closing quickly. So if you care at all about any of this, today is the day to get a GrapheneOS device and make yourself heard.