Great timing.
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Great timing.
The Register: Where to buy a non-Apple, non-Google smartphone https://www.theregister.com/2026/05/01/buy_a_foss_fondleslab/ @theregister @lproven #Apple #Google
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R relay@relay.infosec.exchange shared this topic
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Great timing.
The Register: Where to buy a non-Apple, non-Google smartphone https://www.theregister.com/2026/05/01/buy_a_foss_fondleslab/ @theregister @lproven #Apple #Google
@AAKL @theregister @lproven There is so much misinformation about this whole #Android change going around. Yes, I think it is a bummer. Yes, it goes against what I have always loved about Android personally. But in reality, the normal person does not care. Full stop. And that is who google is targeting now whether us #enthusiasts like it or not. But this reporting on you will never be able to side load an app is just wrong reporting.
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@AAKL @theregister @lproven There is so much misinformation about this whole #Android change going around. Yes, I think it is a bummer. Yes, it goes against what I have always loved about Android personally. But in reality, the normal person does not care. Full stop. And that is who google is targeting now whether us #enthusiasts like it or not. But this reporting on you will never be able to side load an app is just wrong reporting.
@AAKL @theregister @lproven #Google is doing what they think is best, presumably, for user #security. Right now my Grandma could go to a site and sideload an app that walked her through it without blinking an eye. Now, she has to wait. Android is becomming more mainsteam. It is what it is. But don't false report. And if you don't like it I should point you here: https://source.android.com.
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@AAKL @theregister @lproven There is so much misinformation about this whole #Android change going around. Yes, I think it is a bummer. Yes, it goes against what I have always loved about Android personally. But in reality, the normal person does not care. Full stop. And that is who google is targeting now whether us #enthusiasts like it or not. But this reporting on you will never be able to side load an app is just wrong reporting.
@tillbtc @AAKL @theregister @lproven I really don’t understand the issue if all they are asking for is developer ID’s. Apple/google does a fairly good job keeping bad apps out of the store, this just reinforces the belief that if the developer had to give their proper ID in order to sell their product in the store, they would be less inclided to upload malicious apps.
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@tillbtc @AAKL @theregister @lproven I really don’t understand the issue if all they are asking for is developer ID’s. Apple/google does a fairly good job keeping bad apps out of the store, this just reinforces the belief that if the developer had to give their proper ID in order to sell their product in the store, they would be less inclided to upload malicious apps.
@dademurphy @tillbtc @AAKL @theregister @lproven This would be fine as an argument if they were rolling it out in their store. Their store their rules.
It's the "Outside the store" that deeply bothers me.
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@dademurphy @tillbtc @AAKL @theregister @lproven This would be fine as an argument if they were rolling it out in their store. Their store their rules.
It's the "Outside the store" that deeply bothers me.
@Epic_Null @dademurphy @AAKL @theregister @lproven What about it? How many apps do you download 3rd party and install on a regular basis? If it’s a lot I might recommend you learn adb. Interestingly just saying that makes me wonder if we can simulate an environment to “adb push” an apk to the apps folder from on the phone. I digress. People that are upset should share their use case otherwise it doesn’t make sense to be upset.
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@dademurphy @tillbtc @AAKL @theregister @lproven This would be fine as an argument if they were rolling it out in their store. Their store their rules.
It's the "Outside the store" that deeply bothers me.
@Epic_Null you may not be using their store but you’re still using their software and if they want developers to identify themselves, regardless of where you downloaded the app, that is well within their right to do so.
It’s not like you’re being restricted as to what you can and can’t install, they just want to verify who you are downloading and installing it from first.
If anyone should be complaining, it’s the developers not the users..

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@Epic_Null @dademurphy @AAKL @theregister @lproven What about it? How many apps do you download 3rd party and install on a regular basis? If it’s a lot I might recommend you learn adb. Interestingly just saying that makes me wonder if we can simulate an environment to “adb push” an apk to the apps folder from on the phone. I digress. People that are upset should share their use case otherwise it doesn’t make sense to be upset.
@tillbtc @Epic_Null @AAKL @theregister @lproven I highly doubt it would be that easy. If custom roms can keep pirated apps from installing, Google can stop you from installing unauthorized apps.
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@Epic_Null @dademurphy @AAKL @theregister @lproven What about it? How many apps do you download 3rd party and install on a regular basis? If it’s a lot I might recommend you learn adb. Interestingly just saying that makes me wonder if we can simulate an environment to “adb push” an apk to the apps folder from on the phone. I digress. People that are upset should share their use case otherwise it doesn’t make sense to be upset.
@tillbtc @Epic_Null @dademurphy @theregister @lproven This isn't about sideloading, per se, but what the restrictions actually mean. We are unlikely to agree on this, but maybe this explains the objections better. It's a good assessment:
"from open-by-default to identity-gated."
Android Sideloading Restrictions Explained: Why Even Supporters Object https://android.gadgethacks.com/news/android-sideloading-restrictions-explained-why-even-supporters-object/
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@tillbtc @Epic_Null @dademurphy @theregister @lproven This isn't about sideloading, per se, but what the restrictions actually mean. We are unlikely to agree on this, but maybe this explains the objections better. It's a good assessment:
"from open-by-default to identity-gated."
Android Sideloading Restrictions Explained: Why Even Supporters Object https://android.gadgethacks.com/news/android-sideloading-restrictions-explained-why-even-supporters-object/
@AAKL @Epic_Null @dademurphy @theregister @lproven I just read this is a one time advanced flow. What’s the issue? As anyone that sideloads apps this creates a one time flow across your account to verify you accept side loading risk. Then you’re done? What am I missing?
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@tillbtc @Epic_Null @AAKL @theregister @lproven I highly doubt it would be that easy. If custom roms can keep pirated apps from installing, Google can stop you from installing unauthorized apps.
@dademurphy @Epic_Null @AAKL @theregister @lproven Yeah. Not needed. This is a one time account level process. What’s the issue? 24hrs? 1 time?
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@Epic_Null @dademurphy @AAKL @theregister @lproven What about it? How many apps do you download 3rd party and install on a regular basis? If it’s a lot I might recommend you learn adb. Interestingly just saying that makes me wonder if we can simulate an environment to “adb push” an apk to the apps folder from on the phone. I digress. People that are upset should share their use case otherwise it doesn’t make sense to be upset.
@tillbtc @dademurphy @AAKL @theregister @lproven I have 36 apps installed through FDroid right now, plus FDroid.
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@dademurphy @Epic_Null @AAKL @theregister @lproven Yeah. Not needed. This is a one time account level process. What’s the issue? 24hrs? 1 time?
@tillbtc @dademurphy @AAKL @theregister @lproven Do you really trust Google with the infrastructure to make that decision?
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@tillbtc @dademurphy @AAKL @theregister @lproven Do you really trust Google with the infrastructure to make that decision?
@Epic_Null @dademurphy @AAKL @theregister @lproven You are using their software? Thats my point. No, no I dont. So I dont use their software. That simple.
You wanna be open and private and free but have android you should be close with a degoogled aosp anyway.
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@tillbtc @dademurphy @AAKL @theregister @lproven I have 36 apps installed through FDroid right now, plus FDroid.
@Epic_Null @dademurphy @AAKL @theregister @lproven Ok so the next one you install you’ll have to wait 24 hours then never think about it again. I just don’t understand the level of rage does not equal the level of inconvience.
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@Epic_Null @dademurphy @AAKL @theregister @lproven You are using their software? Thats my point. No, no I dont. So I dont use their software. That simple.
You wanna be open and private and free but have android you should be close with a degoogled aosp anyway.
️@tillbtc @dademurphy @AAKL @theregister @lproven I have checked multiple times for a degoogled OS that supports my hardware. Turns out, not everyone has a supported device by default.
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@Epic_Null @dademurphy @AAKL @theregister @lproven Ok so the next one you install you’ll have to wait 24 hours then never think about it again. I just don’t understand the level of rage does not equal the level of inconvience.
@tillbtc @dademurphy @AAKL @theregister @lproven Let me ask you this: when was the last time an "inconvienience" was this intentionally added that was not a precursor to things getting worse later?
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@tillbtc @dademurphy @AAKL @theregister @lproven Let me ask you this: when was the last time an "inconvienience" was this intentionally added that was not a precursor to things getting worse later?
@Epic_Null @dademurphy @AAKL @theregister @lproven I’m not trying to be a jerk or argumentative. This is how social gets toxic. It was just a question. What about this change drastically changes your current Android experience. You answered. Is it a slippery slope? Sure. But you could say that about so many things Google implemented or otherwise. We live on a slippery slope now. 🫣
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@Epic_Null @dademurphy @AAKL @theregister @lproven I’m not trying to be a jerk or argumentative. This is how social gets toxic. It was just a question. What about this change drastically changes your current Android experience. You answered. Is it a slippery slope? Sure. But you could say that about so many things Google implemented or otherwise. We live on a slippery slope now. 🫣
@tillbtc @dademurphy @AAKL @theregister @lproven
But you could say that about so many things Google implemented or otherwise.
Like how Google cut off third party email readers? Yeah, you sure could! It's a PATTERN OF BEHAVIOR that tells you not to give them the benefit of the doubt.
We live on a slippery slope now.
That alone sounds like valid reason to be upset and raise a ruckus for any inch you slip.
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@tillbtc @Epic_Null @dademurphy @theregister @lproven This isn't about sideloading, per se, but what the restrictions actually mean. We are unlikely to agree on this, but maybe this explains the objections better. It's a good assessment:
"from open-by-default to identity-gated."
Android Sideloading Restrictions Explained: Why Even Supporters Object https://android.gadgethacks.com/news/android-sideloading-restrictions-explained-why-even-supporters-object/
@AAKL @tillbtc @Epic_Null @theregister @lproven it’s still “open by default “, you just have to identify yourself first, not a big deal.