From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

This was flagged up on my Android phone yesterday when I went to update
some non-google apps on F-Droid.

keepandroidopen.org

Fellow non-conformists may wish to raise some objections in the stated
places.

iPhone users were obviously already lost to drone-ism long ago :-)

HTH

Chris
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

On 23/02/2026 15:34, chrisnd @ukrm wrote:

This was flagged up on my Android phone yesterday when I went to update
some non-google apps on F-Droid.

keepandroidopen.org

Fellow non-conformists may wish to raise some objections in the stated places.

Possibly because of apps like NewPipe and Cleantube which enables one to
skip round Youtube advertising, as Google own Youtube.
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

On 23/02/2026 18:10, Mike Fleming wrote:

On 23/02/2026 15:34, chrisnd @ukrm wrote:

This was flagged up on my Android phone yesterday when I went to
update some non-google apps on F-Droid.

keepandroidopen.org

Fellow non-conformists may wish to raise some objections in the stated
places.

Possibly because of apps like NewPipe and Cleantube which enables one to skip round Youtube advertising, as Google own Youtube.

FreeTube - https://freetubeapp.io - I'd rather watch videos on a monitor
than a phone. So while Google may want to stop ad-free Android YouTube clients, there's plenty of other ways out there.

I think one reason for Google wanting to insist on everything going
through the play store is because the developers will have to pay to put
it there. I don't agree with it, but I can see why they want to do it. I suspect that there will be at least a partial u-turn nearer the date as
one of the selling points of Android over Apple is precisely this - you
have more freedom of where to install apps from. I use F-Droid for a lot
of apps, and Google for the bare minimum that I can get away with.

It's a bit like the pepsi vs. coke wars where one of them tried to take
share from the other by tasting just like it (I was going to say "I
forget the details now" but I'm not sure I ever actually knew them
anyway, as it's not a subject close to my heart.) Anyway - it didn't end
well.
--
nr.

Hobbs Cross (n.)
The awkward leaping manoeuvre a girl has to go through in bed in order
to make him sleep on the wet patch.
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

Neil Ronketti <neil@ronketti.invalid> wrote in news:10niatp$3949h$1@dont-email.me:

On 23/02/2026 18:10, Mike Fleming wrote:

On 23/02/2026 15:34, chrisnd @ukrm wrote:

This was flagged up on my Android phone yesterday when I went to
update some non-google apps on F-Droid.

keepandroidopen.org

Fellow non-conformists may wish to raise some objections in the
stated places.

Possibly because of apps like NewPipe and Cleantube which enables one
to skip round Youtube advertising, as Google own Youtube.

FreeTube - https://freetubeapp.io - I'd rather watch videos on a
monitor than a phone. So while Google may want to stop ad-free Android YouTube clients, there's plenty of other ways out there.

For now, Firefox still works with full fat uBlock origin as they have not implemented the full Manifest v3 protocol that stops it working in Chrome,
by blocking the webRequest API.

All ads are stripped out of Youtube
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

Neil Ronketti wrote:

I suspect that there will be at least a partial u-turn nearer the date as one of the selling points of Android over Apple is precisely this - you
have more freedom of where to install apps from.

This has already happened - https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2025/11/android-developer-verification-early.html

"Based on this feedback and our ongoing conversations with the
community, we are building a new advanced flow that allows experienced
users to accept the risks of installing software that isn't verified. We
are designing this flow specifically to resist coercion, ensuring that
users aren't tricked into bypassing these safety checks while under
pressure from a scammer. It will also include clear warnings to ensure
users fully understand the risks involved, but ultimately, it puts the
choice in their hands. We are gathering early feedback on the design of
this feature now and will share more details in the coming months."
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

On 23/02/2026 15:34, chrisnd @ukrm wrote:

This was flagged up on my Android phone yesterday when I went to update
some non-google apps on F-Droid.

keepandroidopen.org

Yeah, been aware for a while. Not sure how well a campaign will go other
than rooting becoming more common.

Fellow non-conformists may wish to raise some objections in the stated places.

All done
--
Bruce Porter
"The internet is a huge and diverse community but mainly friendly" http://ytc1.blogspot.co.uk/
There *is* an alternative! http://www.openoffice.org/
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

YTC1 <ytc1@ytc1.co.uk> wrote in news:10njsen$3oo4c$1@dont-email.me:

On 23/02/2026 15:34, chrisnd @ukrm wrote:

This was flagged up on my Android phone yesterday when I went to update
some non-google apps on F-Droid.

keepandroidopen.org

Yeah, been aware for a while. Not sure how well a campaign will go other than rooting becoming more common.

Fellow non-conformists may wish to raise some objections in the stated
places.

All done

I'm no fan of these big tech corps but I can't get excited about isolating myself from their infiltration into my everyday life by rooting a phone.

My Android phone with its Google approved apps makes life so much easier. I really do not give a toss that big brother knows I just bought a case of claret, drove to Tesco or booked a hotel in Troyes.

I keep the dodgy downloads and streaming to the laptop hiding behind Proton VPN.
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

On 23/02/2026 19:48, Neil Ronketti wrote:

On 23/02/2026 18:10, Mike Fleming wrote:

On 23/02/2026 15:34, chrisnd @ukrm wrote:

This was flagged up on my Android phone yesterday when I went to
update some non-google apps on F-Droid.

keepandroidopen.org

Fellow non-conformists may wish to raise some objections in the
stated places.

Possibly because of apps like NewPipe and Cleantube which enables one
to skip round Youtube advertising, as Google own Youtube.

FreeTube - https://freetubeapp.io - I'd rather watch videos on a monitor than a phone. So while Google may want to stop ad-free Android YouTube clients, there's plenty of other ways out there.

I think one reason for Google wanting to insist on everything going
through the play store is because the developers will have to pay to put
it there. I don't agree with it, but I can see why they want to do it.

Exactly. I don't actually have a problem with the 'paying for services'
aspect of this. What I actually object to is google's continual
tweaking of their apps 'to improve user experience' when all they do is
add irritations as far as I am concerned.

Too often also the available apps don't do what I want them to do, or
are not specialised enough. A lot of the developers seem to clone each
others ideas - which is fair enough - but without any advancement.

The real annoyance though is Google's apparent wish to limit all
developers to using either their phones - or Apple's. I object to
'closed shop' marketing in such a way.

I
suspect that there will be at least a partial u-turn nearer the date as
one of the selling points of Android over Apple is precisely this - you
have more freedom of where to install apps from. I use F-Droid for a lot
of apps, and Google for the bare minimum that I can get away with.

That is the way I had started heading already. My only reasons for this
are as stated above - in short, Google has shifted from being useful to intrusive.

Chris
--
The Deuchars BBB#40 COFF#14
Yamaha XV750SE & Suzuki GS550T
https://www.Deuchars.org.uk
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

On 24/02/2026 07:52, Sqirrel99 wrote:

Neil Ronketti wrote:

I suspect that there will be at least a partial u-turn nearer the date
as one of the selling points of Android over Apple is precisely this -
you have more freedom of where to install apps from.

This has already happened - https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2025/11/android-developer- verification-early.html

"Based on this feedback and our ongoing conversations with the
community, we are building a new advanced flow that allows experienced
users to accept the risks of installing software that isn't verified. We
are designing this flow specifically to resist coercion, ensuring that
users aren't tricked into bypassing these safety checks while under
pressure from a scammer. It will also include clear warnings to ensure
users fully understand the risks involved, but ultimately, it puts the choice in their hands. We are gathering early feedback on the design of
this feature now and will share more details in the coming months."

I don't see that as a U-turn so much as confirmation that they are
trying to get *every* developer to fall at their feet. The phrase,
"...to start inviting developers to the early access for developer verification in Android Developer Console for developers that distribute exclusively outside of Play..." implies that they will shut the door on
those who don't comply.

Android started out as open source and Google made everyone believe they
would keep it that way. This looks like a con.

Chris
--
The Deuchars BBB#40 COFF#14
Yamaha XV750SE & Suzuki GS550T
https://www.Deuchars.org.uk
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

On 24/02/2026 10:11, wessie wrote:

YTC1 <ytc1@ytc1.co.uk> wrote in news:10njsen$3oo4c$1@dont-email.me:

On 23/02/2026 15:34, chrisnd @ukrm wrote:

This was flagged up on my Android phone yesterday when I went to update
some non-google apps on F-Droid.

keepandroidopen.org

Yeah, been aware for a while. Not sure how well a campaign will go other
than rooting becoming more common.

Fellow non-conformists may wish to raise some objections in the stated
places.

All done

I'm no fan of these big tech corps but I can't get excited about isolating myself from their infiltration into my everyday life by rooting a phone.

Indeed. I agree you shouldn't have to.

My Android phone with its Google approved apps makes life so much easier. I really do not give a toss that big brother knows I just bought a case of claret, drove to Tesco or booked a hotel in Troyes.

I keep the dodgy downloads and streaming to the laptop hiding behind Proton VPN.

Putting a VPN on your phone might also be a good idea :-)

Chris
--
The Deuchars BBB#40 COFF#14
Yamaha XV750SE & Suzuki GS550T
https://www.Deuchars.org.uk
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

"chrisnd @ukrm" <chrisnd@privacy.net> wrote in news:n060jaFl288U2@mid.individual.net:

On 24/02/2026 10:11, wessie wrote:

YTC1 <ytc1@ytc1.co.uk> wrote in news:10njsen$3oo4c$1@dont-email.me:

On 23/02/2026 15:34, chrisnd @ukrm wrote:

This was flagged up on my Android phone yesterday when I went to
update some non-google apps on F-Droid.

keepandroidopen.org

Yeah, been aware for a while. Not sure how well a campaign will go
other than rooting becoming more common.

Fellow non-conformists may wish to raise some objections in the
stated places.

All done

I'm no fan of these big tech corps but I can't get excited about
isolating myself from their infiltration into my everyday life by
rooting a phone.

Indeed. I agree you shouldn't have to.

My Android phone with its Google approved apps makes life so much
easier. I really do not give a toss that big brother knows I just
bought a case of claret, drove to Tesco or booked a hotel in Troyes.

I keep the dodgy downloads and streaming to the laptop hiding behind
Proton VPN.

Putting a VPN on your phone might also be a good idea :-)

I have Proton installed but don't use it when connected to my domestic
wifi as the increased rate of Cloudfare ID checks annoys me
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

On 24/02/2026 16:34, wessie wrote:

"chrisnd @ukrm" <chrisnd@privacy.net> wrote in news:n060jaFl288U2@mid.individual.net:

On 24/02/2026 10:11, wessie wrote:

YTC1 <ytc1@ytc1.co.uk> wrote in news:10njsen$3oo4c$1@dont-email.me:

On 23/02/2026 15:34, chrisnd @ukrm wrote:

This was flagged up on my Android phone yesterday when I went to
update some non-google apps on F-Droid.

keepandroidopen.org

Yeah, been aware for a while. Not sure how well a campaign will go
other than rooting becoming more common.

Fellow non-conformists may wish to raise some objections in the
stated places.

All done

I'm no fan of these big tech corps but I can't get excited about
isolating myself from their infiltration into my everyday life by
rooting a phone.

Indeed. I agree you shouldn't have to.

My Android phone with its Google approved apps makes life so much
easier. I really do not give a toss that big brother knows I just
bought a case of claret, drove to Tesco or booked a hotel in Troyes.

I keep the dodgy downloads and streaming to the laptop hiding behind
Proton VPN.

Putting a VPN on your phone might also be a good idea :-)

I have Proton installed but don't use it when connected to my domestic
wifi as the increased rate of Cloudfare ID checks annoys me

Fairy snuff

Chris
--
The Deuchars BBB#40 COFF#14
Yamaha XV750SE & Suzuki GS550T
https://www.Deuchars.org.uk
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

On 24/02/2026 10:11, wessie wrote:

YTC1 <ytc1@ytc1.co.uk> wrote in news:10njsen$3oo4c$1@dont-email.me:

On 23/02/2026 15:34, chrisnd @ukrm wrote:

This was flagged up on my Android phone yesterday when I went to update
some non-google apps on F-Droid.

keepandroidopen.org

Yeah, been aware for a while. Not sure how well a campaign will go other
than rooting becoming more common.

Fellow non-conformists may wish to raise some objections in the stated
places.

All done

I'm no fan of these big tech corps but I can't get excited about isolating myself from their infiltration into my everyday life by rooting a phone.

My Android phone with its Google approved apps makes life so much easier. I really do not give a toss that big brother knows I just bought a case of claret, drove to Tesco or booked a hotel in Troyes.

I keep the dodgy downloads and streaming to the laptop hiding behind Proton VPN.

I concur.

Then my Chinese smartwatch is reporting my vital signs and every move
anyway. Beijing must be fascinated.
--
Moto Morini 2C/375
Gilera 175 Sport, Husqvarna 401 Svartpilen
Honda CB250RS (Not Waynetta!)
"Do not adjust your mind, there is a fault in the reality"
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

chrisnd @ukrm wrote:

On 24/02/2026 07:52, Sqirrel99 wrote:

Neil Ronketti wrote:

I suspect that there will be at least a partial u-turn nearer the date
as one of the selling points of Android over Apple is precisely this -
you have more freedom of where to install apps from.

This has already happened -
https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2025/11/android-developer-
verification-early.html

"Based on this feedback and our ongoing conversations with the
community, we are building a new advanced flow that allows experienced
users to accept the risks of installing software that isn't verified. We
are designing this flow specifically to resist coercion, ensuring that
users aren't tricked into bypassing these safety checks while under
pressure from a scammer. It will also include clear warnings to ensure
users fully understand the risks involved, but ultimately, it puts the
choice in their hands. We are gathering early feedback on the design of
this feature now and will share more details in the coming months."

I don't see that as a U-turn so much as confirmation that they are
trying to get *every* developer to fall at their feet. The phrase,
"...to start inviting developers to the early access for developer verification in Android Developer Console for developers that distribute exclusively outside of Play..." implies that they will shut the door on those who don't comply.

Is this not two separate things, though ?

- To distribute through the Play Store, a developer ID must now be tied
to a real-world person.

- There will still be a way to install apps from outside the Play Store,
just with additional 'are you sure?' warnings.

Android started out as open source and Google made everyone believe they would keep it that way. This looks like a con.

Since Google acquired it, it has only ever really been 'source available'.
You can fork it, but not contribute to it.
Of course, they are moving more and more functionality from the FOSS
source into the closed-source 'Play Services', but they have been doing
that for years.

--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

On 25/02/2026 08:05, Sqirrel99 wrote:

chrisnd @ukrm wrote:

On 24/02/2026 07:52, Sqirrel99 wrote:

Neil Ronketti wrote:

I suspect that there will be at least a partial u-turn nearer the
date as one of the selling points of Android over Apple is precisely
this - you have more freedom of where to install apps from.

This has already happened -
https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2025/11/android-developer-
verification-early.html

"Based on this feedback and our ongoing conversations with the
community, we are building a new advanced flow that allows
experienced users to accept the risks of installing software that
isn't verified. We are designing this flow specifically to resist
coercion, ensuring that users aren't tricked into bypassing these
safety checks while under pressure from a scammer. It will also
include clear warnings to ensure users fully understand the risks
involved, but ultimately, it puts the choice in their hands. We are
gathering early feedback on the design of this feature now and will
share more details in the coming months."

I don't see that as a U-turn so much as confirmation that they are
trying to get *every* developer to fall at their feet.-a The phrase,
"...to start inviting developers to the early access for developer
verification in Android Developer Console for developers that
distribute exclusively outside of Play..." implies that they will shut
the door on those who don't comply.

Is this not two separate things, though ?

- To distribute through the Play Store, a developer ID must now be tied
to a real-world person.

- There will still be a way to install apps from outside the Play Store, just with additional 'are you sure?' warnings.

That is not what Google states here: https://developer.android.com/developer-verification
They *still* say:
"Starting in September 2026, Android will require all apps to be
registered by verified developers in order to be installed on certified Android devices."
Note the "ALL apps" - ie no exceptions! The suggestion there might be
'are you sure' type warnings is therefore diversionary padding. :-)

Android started out as open source and Google made everyone believe
they would keep it that way.-a This looks like a con.

Since Google acquired it, it has only ever really been 'source available'. You can fork it, but not contribute to it.
Of course, they are moving more and more functionality from the FOSS
source into the closed-source 'Play Services', but they have been doing
that for years.

Yup, frayed sew.

Chris
--
The Deuchars BBB#40 COFF#14
Yamaha XV750SE & Suzuki GS550T
https://www.Deuchars.org.uk
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2