cross-posted from: https://discuss.tchncs.de/post/45277582
Opening my weather app this morning I was greeted by this warning:
Google has announced that, starting in 2026/2027, all apps on certified Android devices will require the developer to submit personal identity details directly to Google. Since the developers of this app do not agree to this requirement, this app will no longer work on certified Android devices after that time.
It’s the first time I hear about this, seems to be about:
Cirrus app: Github
Was this a big thing I somehow missed? I hope more devs will follow suit.
Technically, this would allow the identification of malware providers in Google’s app store.
Practically, every us citizen’s personal identification details were taken by doge idiots and are likely by now up for sale at a cheap price, so false identification by malware providers is pretty much guaranteed.
It’s a “we covered our ass” policy same as any “save the children” that does anything but the implied thing.
play store publishers are already needed to submit (and publish) their name and address. they made it a requirement ~5 years ago.
Obviously fictional. An ID and a picture of yourself holding today’s paper are also needed to confirm authenticity.
This is about all app makers, not just ones in the Google Play Store. This also applies to third party app devs and hobbiests making open source apps to put up on alternative app stores like the all open source F-Droid.