Starting September 2026, a silent update, nonconsensually pushed by Google, will block every Android app whose developer hasn't registered with Google, signed their contract, paid up, and handed over government ID.

https://keepandroidopen.org/

might have to switch entirely to sidelaoding.issue is banking apps

as an android user, will i still get affected even if i use an older version of google play services?

cross-posted from: https://infosec.pub/post/46445602

Is this still going to happen? What can we do?

cross-posted from: https://infosec.pub/post/46445602

Is this still going to happen? What can we do?

Is this still going to happen? What can we do?

Edit: Complain to your competent authorities here: https://keepandroidopen.org/cta/#consumers

This is an automated archive made by the Lemmit Bot.

The original was posted on /r/piracy by /u/darrylfromearth on 2026-04-09 13:40:07+00:00.

Google announced that as of September 2026, it will no longer be possible to develop apps for the Android platform without first registering centrally with Google. This registration will involve:

Paying a fee to Google

Agreeing to Google’s Terms and Conditions

Providing government identification

Uploading evidence of the developer’s private signing key

Listing all current and future application identifiers

Meaning You, the consumer, purchased your Android device believing in Google’s promise that it was an open computing platform and that you could run whatever software you choose on it. Instead, as of September 2026, they will be non-consensually pushing an update to your operating system that irrevocably blocks this right and leaves you at the mercy of their judgement over what software you are permitted to trust. This gives Google a monopoly. Now, Google is controlling the Operating System level. Even if you don't use the Play Store, you still have to register with Google and pay them a fee just to make your app run on an Android phone. And Google frames this as a "security update" to stop malware.

sign this petition to make your voice heard

Background

Rooting disables OEM updates and makes your device unofficial, so you will probably still be able to sideload apps. Depending on how this shitstorm turns out though, and if there will ever be a need for it, I would love to help people root their smartphones.

Another idea is to collaborate on a wiki that aggregates and documents all rootable versus non rootable smartphones and the methods that work.

Rooting services

We could setup a chatroom on Signal or any other platform that enables voice and/or video chat. People would also be able to send their smartphones to another person that roots it. Or like street vendors, setup a pipe chair and table and do it on scene at festivals and other gatherings.

The wiki

I could host something fresh from my desktop or create a community on some fedi instance. The wiki would aggregate preexisting information but also be open for continuous updates by the community.

Edit: thank you @ChanchoManco@lemmy.zip for posting the repo Bootloader Unlock: Wall of Shame

Question

What does the community think of such an idea? I'm just spitballing here, trying to add something to the opposition.