just making sure you understand the proposal correctly. you'd still be able to distribute the app through whatever means you want; the app just has to be signed with a key tied your identity that is verified by google, if trying to install on a "certified device" (which will be most devices).
i still disagree with the move. but it's not as bad as it could be. maybe there's a way to "unlock" a certified device (similar to unlocking the bootloader)?
- The requirement, unless I'm mistaken, would tie a real-world identity of the developer to an app, who may wish to keep that separate from a pseudonym they may normally release things with.
- Unwillingness to give Google PII or just not tie a particular pseudonymous identity to that PII on Google.
- It puts absolute control in Google's hands for whether any app is allowed to run on most devices. There may be concerns about the types of decisions that may arise from this, not merely from recognized malware. Certain governments may ask Google to regulate apps allowed on such devices via this approach.
- Once this globally rolls out in 2027 it will mean the audience for apps from devs who don't agree to this will shrink dramatically. Only those presumably with AOSP based custom ROMs will be able to use those apps which may have a knock-on effect for dev motivation.
I'd argue it's basically the same thing except added in a complication to make it sound less bad. Google still has the final say here on what apps you install and don't install on your phone because verified developer's app still have to follow Google's rules, and if you don't, you will no longer be a verified developer.
I reckon soon enough they will tighten the restriction and make it so that you have to install everything through the play store, Google and big corps always love making changes like this in small steps so that the backlash is minimal and they get to test the waters to see if they can get away with it.
i still disagree with the move. but it's not as bad as it could be. maybe there's a way to "unlock" a certified device (similar to unlocking the bootloader)?