Yeah, this is garbage. Nobody should accept this. People need to keep fighting this because the “hobbyist account” bullshit still gives Google full control over what apps you can install by creating an arbitrary restriction that they can change on a whim.
Nothing short of leaving the process of installing apps from outside the Play Store exactly the same as it is now should be accepted.
The Verge is laundering Google’s Big Brother bullshit with their headline by making it sound like Google responded in an adequate manner, which is exactly what Google wants.
The headline is incomplete to an extent that it’s dishonest because it doesn’t reflect the reality of what Google is saying.
Google will only allow “experienced users” to “continue” sideloading with the new, draconian restrictions that Google will be the arbiter of. “Continue” implies that sideloading will continue as it is in its currently acceptable form. However, that is not the case. If it were, Google would not be changing anything at all because there would be no perceived benefit for them doing so.
So in a way, yes, the entire article is wrong, because it doesn’t adequately push back on the premise that it implies and instead uncritically parrots what Google would prefer people to believe, which is that people that want to sideload their apps and use third-party app stores like F-Droid will not be negatively impacted, which is not true.
It’s not FUD. The “install unknown apps” toggle already does what you’re describing. Whatever the intentionally vague blurbs from Google imply, whatever the new toggle ends up being will be worse.
And that doesn’t account for the need they’re creating for a “student/hobbyist” account that Google is creating. If you use such an account, your app can only be installed on a limited number of devices, which Google will control.
That’s not what the article says at all. It is saying there will be a path to install unsigned apks, which by definition would not be attached to any developer account.
Google has made an important concession. The company says it is now developing an “advanced flow that allows experienced users to accept the risks of installing software that isn’t verified.” This installation flow will include safeguards to protect people who are being coerced into installing a dangerous app, or tricked by a scammer, along with “clear warnings to ensure users fully understand the risks involved.”
It’s just going to be an evolution of the existing toggle, with a bit more scary language around it.
Again: Google would not be doing this if there was no perceived benefit for them. If it was merely a matter of adding a scarier warning, then what purpose does the new “student/hobbyist” account type that restricts the number of devices your app can be installed on serve??
The company says it is now developing an “advanced flow that allows experienced users to accept the risks of installing software that isn’t verified.” This installation flow will include safeguards to protect people who are being coerced into installing a dangerous app, or tricked by a scammer, along with “clear warnings to ensure users fully understand the risks involved.”
Seems like there will also just be a toggle somewhere (probably developer settings) that lets someone install from any source
The “install unknown apps” toggle already does that. Whatever that vague blurb implies, whatever the new toggle ends up being will be worse.
And that doesn’t account for the need they’re creating for a “student/hobbyist” account that Google is creating. If you use such an account, your app can only be installed on a limited number of devices, which Google will control.
You’re conflating two changes the article claims they’re making. Do you have another source that you’re basing this on?
This article outlines two changes:
a workflow for experienced users to install unverified apps, with safeguards in place to prevent scams
a new account type for students and hobbyists that doesn’t require verification
This article is worded to make these two appear as individual changes, not the same change.
The company says it is now developing an “advanced flow that allows experienced users to accept the risks of installing software that isn’t verified.” This installation flow will include safeguards to protect people who are being coerced into installing a dangerous app, or tricked by a scammer, along with “clear warnings to ensure users fully understand the risks involved.”
Google is also working on a new developer account type for students and hobbyists, which won’t have to go through “full verification requirements,” but will only allow app installs on “a limited number of devices.”
I think that’s for Play Store accounts, so you can share an app there with a small audience without the otherwise necessary verification, not for installs from Github / F-Droid etc. which will have some new kind of “are you sure you’re not getting scammed here?” confirmation for installing apps from completely unverified developers.
…made by developers with a special student/hobby account, only for a limited number of devices.
Half-assed “solution”.
Yeah, this is garbage. Nobody should accept this. People need to keep fighting this because the “hobbyist account” bullshit still gives Google full control over what apps you can install by creating an arbitrary restriction that they can change on a whim.
Nothing short of leaving the process of installing apps from outside the Play Store exactly the same as it is now should be accepted.
The Verge is laundering Google’s Big Brother bullshit with their headline by making it sound like Google responded in an adequate manner, which is exactly what Google wants.
The headline matches the article. So if the Verge is wrong there, it’s the entire article that’s wrong, not just the headline.
The headline is incomplete to an extent that it’s dishonest because it doesn’t reflect the reality of what Google is saying.
Google will only allow “experienced users” to “continue” sideloading with the new, draconian restrictions that Google will be the arbiter of. “Continue” implies that sideloading will continue as it is in its currently acceptable form. However, that is not the case. If it were, Google would not be changing anything at all because there would be no perceived benefit for them doing so.
So in a way, yes, the entire article is wrong, because it doesn’t adequately push back on the premise that it implies and instead uncritically parrots what Google would prefer people to believe, which is that people that want to sideload their apps and use third-party app stores like F-Droid will not be negatively impacted, which is not true.
Where are you getting this from? The article makes it clear that the solution will be a settings-based solution similar to how it is today.
There’s really no need to spread FUD over this, is there.
It’s not FUD. The “install unknown apps” toggle already does what you’re describing. Whatever the intentionally vague blurbs from Google imply, whatever the new toggle ends up being will be worse.
And that doesn’t account for the need they’re creating for a “student/hobbyist” account that Google is creating. If you use such an account, your app can only be installed on a limited number of devices, which Google will control.
That’s not what the article says at all. It is saying there will be a path to install unsigned apks, which by definition would not be attached to any developer account.
It’s just going to be an evolution of the existing toggle, with a bit more scary language around it.
Again: Google would not be doing this if there was no perceived benefit for them. If it was merely a matter of adding a scarier warning, then what purpose does the new “student/hobbyist” account type that restricts the number of devices your app can be installed on serve??
Probably Pixels so they can keep spying anyway. This is better than nothing but still fucking awful.
Seems like there will also just be a toggle somewhere (probably developer settings) that lets someone install from any source
The “install unknown apps” toggle already does that. Whatever that vague blurb implies, whatever the new toggle ends up being will be worse.
And that doesn’t account for the need they’re creating for a “student/hobbyist” account that Google is creating. If you use such an account, your app can only be installed on a limited number of devices, which Google will control.
You’re conflating two changes the article claims they’re making. Do you have another source that you’re basing this on?
This article outlines two changes:
This article is worded to make these two appear as individual changes, not the same change.
Note the word “also” in the above quote.
This should be higher
I think that’s for Play Store accounts, so you can share an app there with a small audience without the otherwise necessary verification, not for installs from Github / F-Droid etc. which will have some new kind of “are you sure you’re not getting scammed here?” confirmation for installing apps from completely unverified developers.