75
don't let google alter the deal
(lemmy.blahaj.zone)
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
view the rest of the comments
this post was submitted on 01 May 2026
75 points (100.0% liked)
Privacy
9788 readers
2 users here now
A community for Lemmy users interested in privacy
Rules:
- Be civil
- No spam posting
- Keep posts on-topic
- No trolling
founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
I support spreading this message, and fuck Google, but...what's actually happening is they are making harder to install apps, not removing the ability to do so.
https://grapheneos.social/@GrapheneOS/116489468836419322
After massive pushback. Their original plan was basically full control. It still is, but they'll allow you to install something if you ask nicely first.
The other issue is the timing. They can claim this is for security all they want, but it was announced suspiciously close to the courts ruling that Google needed to open up their ecosystem to other app stores. This is a blatant attempt to keep control of the app ecosystem by forcing devs to go through Google regardless of where they intend to release.
I still say fuck them and push back and that total control is there end goal.
However. I agree with what they're putting in place at this time. It's a one time 24 hour hold before you can install apks from unknown places.
Unfortunately, a lot of people are pieces of shit, and I know for pretty much a fact that making this move will prevent old people from getting scammed. Especially for more targeted attacks where you can use ai to fake one of their relatives voices. It pumps a brake on scammers getting people to grant access while under a panic.
So if you're tech savvy, you'll just have to wait an extra 24 hours before you can start side loading after a phone reset or new phone purchase. Not a big deal if it keeps my pops from having his bank account drained. The guy got in a panic when his Facebook billiards game lost his score data. The guy would have left his phone with someone for a week if they told him they could have gotten it back.
Security should not control us, we should control security. In other words, this is not the right solution.
There's a middle ground between complete disregard and complete lockdown. If you've got a better solution to scammers that isn't going to drain your battery, invade your privacy, or hog up resources, I'm all ears. Grow up a little and maybe stop being so "me" centric.