←back to thread

522 points josephcsible | 2 comments | | HN request time: 0s | source
Show context
itg ◴[] 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.
replies(15): >>45570221 #>>45570261 #>>45570265 #>>45570587 #>>45570668 #>>45572259 #>>45572346 #>>45573245 #>>45573688 #>>45573719 #>>45573848 #>>45573983 #>>45574065 #>>45574119 #>>45574318 #
jadbox ◴[] 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.
replies(10): >>45570571 #>>45570633 #>>45570634 #>>45570683 #>>45571257 #>>45571700 #>>45572133 #>>45572345 #>>45573858 #>>45574064 #
omnimus ◴[] No.45570633[source]
Yeah... no. This is normal with desktop computers. Let's stop handholding people. If I trust the source, I trust the domain... I want to be able to install app from its source.

Googles/Apples argument would have been much stronger if their stores managed to not allow scams/malware/bad apps to their store but this is not the case. They want to have the full control without having the full responsibility. It's just powergrab.

replies(2): >>45571729 #>>45572271 #
raw_anon_1111 ◴[] No.45571729[source]
And you are completely ignoring viruses, ransomware, keyloggers, the 50 toolbars etc that has been the staple of Windows and before that DOS for over 40 years.

Scam apps are rife in the iOS App Store. But what they can’t do easily install viruses that affect anything out of its sandbox, keyloggers, etc

replies(3): >>45571935 #>>45572108 #>>45572592 #
1. getpokedagain ◴[] No.45572592[source]
You are missing the part where the OS provider is the virus and keylogger. Unless of course you feel it reasonable that google and apple datamine everything you type via their software keyboard[0] or reading the contents of your notifications via play services[1].

0 - https://discuss.grapheneos.org/d/16046-google-keyboard-w-net... 1 - https://discuss.privacyguides.net/t/sandboxed-google-play-pr...

replies(1): >>45573093 #
2. raw_anon_1111 ◴[] No.45573093[source]
You mean if you run an OS made by a company whose whole profit model is based on tracking users so they can advertise to you is invading your privacy?