Android Developer Verification

#1

Just in case some users are not aware of “Android Developer Verification” and it’s implications, here is a link to F-Droid News - An Open Letter Opposing Android Developer Verification

Excerpt

As we wrote about back in September in F-Droid and Google’s Developer Registration Decree, Google plans to enforce mandatory developer registration as a requirement for building and distributing Android applications worldwide. Android, currently an open platform where anyone can develop and distribute applications freely, is to become a locked-down platform, requiring that developers everywhere register centrally with Google in order to be able to distribute their software. This applies regardless of whether your software is distributed commercially on a competitive app store like the Samsung Galaxy Store, or through a non-commercial community app repository like F-Droid, or even by offering your app as a direct download from a web page. In all these cases, installing or launching any application on an Android Certified device (which constitutes over 95% of all Android-compatible devices outside of China) will phone home to Google to verify that the developer and the application has been approved.

#2

I am worried this may impact Tiddloid.

Also, all my attemps to understand what’s going on have failed, triggering Godwin’s Law.

#3

Hi @vuk,
I was looking at F-Droid apps recently and noticed this information.
I am not sure of the implications as I am not a developer, but felt that it should be mentioned on this forum for others who may be.
Recent posts have mentioned TiddlyDesktopRS on Android Play Store - Test phase and maybe @BurningTreeC is more aware of the implications.
There has also been a petition set-up Stop Google from limiting APK file usage links are on the original article link above.

#4

I am all for open source, competition and open access to install on devices what we want. These changes concern me, but I do note there is a legitimate concern with malware being placed in apps and it is easier to do so when the Author can remain anonymous. If you were not aware some apps are abandoned then taken over by bad players and malware introduced.

We need to find a path that accounts for freedom but not at the cost of corruption.

#5

This app by @BurningTreeC is available in playstore. But currently it is in testing phase