[heavyset_go]

> that would introduce a lot of complexity for Google

Oh well, they're imposing it upon everyone else.

Google controls what apps are distributed and run on over 40% phones and tablets in the US.

Users deserve the right to know if what they're downloading and installing is what they're supposed to be getting. Developers deserve the right to know that what's shipping to their customers is what they intended. Billions of people are vulnerable if the Play Store's infrastructure gets, or is, compromised, or if its owners or governments decide to do something nefarious.

[izacus]

Users, right now, are quite happy trusting Apple (paragon of privacy and security) and F-Droid (the main opensource store) with signing their apps for them, so there doesn't seem much reason for Google to waste extra effort not following them.

What's the business reason for Google to not follow Apple in this respect?

[Andrew_nenakhov]

Trust is matter based on reputation, and that is why users generally trust F-Droid. Can we trust Google, based on their reputation?