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Android's sideloading limits are its most anti-consumer move

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395 points josephcsible | 4 comments | 13 Oct 25 15:24 UTC | HN request time: 0.622s | source
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itg ◴[13 Oct 25 16:13 UTC] No.45570037[source]▶
Installing any app I want outside the Play Store was the primary reason I decided to go with Android, despite most of the people I know using iPhones. If I can't do this anymore, I may as well switch and be able to use iMessage and FaceTime with them.
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jadbox ◴[13 Oct 25 16:29 UTC] No.45570261[source]▶
You can still install apps outside the play store, but the developer does need to verify their signing information. Effectively this means that any app you install must have a paper trail to the originating developer, even if its not on the app store. On one hand, I can see the need for this to track down virus creators, but on the other, it provides Google transparency and control over side loaded app. It IS a concerning move, but currently this is far from 'killing' non-appstore apps for most of the market.
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blaze33 ◴[13 Oct 25 17:00 UTC] No.45570683[source]▶
Pretty sure virus creators could just pick a real ID leaked by the "adult only logins" shenanigans, whereas legit app developers probably wouldn't want to commit identity fraud.
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1. gjsman-1000 ◴[13 Oct 25 17:01 UTC] No.45570699[source]▶
If it gets that bad; Google can do what they already do with business listings - send a letter to the physical address matching the ID, containing a code, which then must be entered into the online portal.

Do that + identity check = bans for virus makers are not easily evaded, regardless of where they live.

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2. voxl ◴[13 Oct 25 18:14 UTC] No.45571589[source]▶
Can you imagine what you're suggesting for a Linux machine? It's absurd. My box my rules, I'll run any damn code I please.
3. JetSpiegel ◴[13 Oct 25 19:13 UTC] No.45572188[source]▶
Will they send letters to sanctioned countries? What about a PO box, or a remailer service?
4. nosianu ◴[13 Oct 25 19:21 UTC] No.45572277[source]▶
That physical address will be useless, and probably easily worked around, in many if not most countries. Expecting Google to be able to use that address together with the law is a pretty US-centric expectation. I don't think most virus creators would be impacted, especially not the ones that are part of professional (criminal or government) organizations.