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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: 0.375s | source
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beardyw ◴[27 Aug 25 07:03 UTC] No.45036335[source]▶
I know I risk being down voted remorselessly but I have to put this in context. Where in the real world is anonymity considered ok? If I only put a flyer through someone's letterbox here in the UK, I have to identify myself. If I sell a physical product I not only have to identify myself but take on serious legal liability. An author can take on a pseudonym but only via an identified publisher.

In fact that latter example might provide a solution. Set up a company willing to publish apps whilst hiding the actual developer's identity.

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1. dns_snek ◴[27 Aug 25 07:41 UTC] No.45036602[source]▶
> Where in the real world is anonymity considered ok?

You've listed commercial activities. The vast majority of non-commercial activities don't require any sort of registration or identification.

Installing an app that your friend or internet stranger developed in their spare time is not a commercial activity and people shouldn't be forced to publish their personal information in order to do so.