[bstsb]

from https://9to5google.com/2026/03/30/android-developer-verifier... -

> Starting in April, Android Developer Verifier will be installed on devices.

so they're rolling out a system app that will call home to check whether any sideloaded apps have been "verified" with the developer's government ID? and this process will happen regardless of whether the user has enabled the "advanced flow" in Developer settings?

[birdsongs]

Good of a reason as any to go google-less on my Graphene pixel, I guess. But man it sucks, mostly for all the people who can't. I can manage my financials and 2FA from my laptop, that was my last real reason to have google play installed, but it's just a convenience. (I know it's mandatory for others.)

I wonder how that sys app will be handled in GrapheneOS's google play sandbox?

[subscribed]

It'll probably always confirm it's been verified.

GOS have already said users won't be impacted by this clampdown.

[kevin_thibedeau]

So F-Droid will be installable without sacrificing livestock?

[fc417fc802]

That essay about being licensed to use a debugger was supposed to be an absurdist over-extrapolation for the sake of making a deeper point about software freedoms ... right? Seems more like they're using it as an instruction manual.