'Keep Android Open' movement fights back against Google sideloading restrictions

Starting next year, Google plans to require all apps installed on certified Android devices, including sideloading, to come from developers it has verified. Many Android developers see the move as a power grab and have started a movement to "Keep Android Open."

The petition, organized by software developer Marc Prud'hommeaux, seeks to rally support to challenge Google's plan and to rouse regulators to the antitrust implications of allowing Google to oversee the verification of all Android developers working with Android Certified devices, but does not affect alternative Android or ASOP builds like /e/OS, LineageOS, or Grapheme.

The petition formalizes objections raised in online forums in the wake of Google's announcement and recaps sentiment articulated previously on the blog of F-Droid, an open-source alternative app store. A separate petition has been created on Change.org.

Among Android developers, opposition to Google's plan has been nearly universal ...