this post was submitted on 25 Aug 2025
345 points (99.7% liked)

Privacy

41399 readers
495 users here now

A place to discuss privacy and freedom in the digital world.

Privacy has become a very important issue in modern society, with companies and governments constantly abusing their power, more and more people are waking up to the importance of digital privacy.

In this community everyone is welcome to post links and discuss topics related to privacy.

Some Rules

Related communities

much thanks to @gary_host_laptop for the logo design :)

founded 5 years ago
MODERATORS
 

cross-posted from: https://jlai.lu/post/24787719

Starting next year, Google will begin to verify the identities of developers distributing their apps on Android devices, not just those who distribute via the Play Store.

top 50 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] eelectricshock@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago

Does this even effect GrapheneOS? Could they not use their own package installer by getting rid of the installer code?

[–] quick_snail@feddit.nl 10 points 6 days ago

Yawn. Guess more people will just have to not install gapps..

[–] tomenzgg@midwest.social 9 points 6 days ago (2 children)

I'm probably going to spam this around a bit, since most people don't seem to know about it, but a reminder that FuriLabs has a (GNU+)Linux phone with decent spec.s and the ability to run Android app.s (from what I've heard) pretty decently: https://furilabs.com/

Biggest drawback is it's based on Halium. Usual growing pains of a new product/company apply but apparently the company is pretty responsive and their dev.s have worked with customers to get things like calling working with the carrier and bands of their country where it hasn't worked before so improvements move pretty quickly.

Collection of different experiences I've variously seen online over the last year or so:

I don't own one, myself, so I can't give any personal experience but I've seen it around for a few years now but most people don't seem to even know about it. Maybe there's a reason for that? But none I've ever seen anyone say.

[–] Revan343@lemmy.ca 4 points 6 days ago

With a microSD slot and a 3.5mm jack, too. I'm just gonna go ahead and save this

[–] root@aussie.zone 3 points 6 days ago

Why does every interesting / unique phone have to be phablet sized. ;(

[–] Wrrzag@lemmy.ml 2 points 5 days ago

Is this just a signature check when installing? Could it be bypassed by getting your dev cert and just signing everything you want to install? Things like obtainium and fdroid could even have a "load your own cert" option and automate this.

[–] hellfire103@lemmy.ca 78 points 1 week ago (7 children)

Whoa, whoa, whoa! What the actual fuck, Google‽

I swear to Hephaestus, at this point I'm considering switching to UBPorts or Sailfish OS or something...

load more comments (7 replies)
[–] doctortofu@piefed.social 69 points 1 week ago (8 children)

And, just like that, no more modded apps, no more custom stores, everything is tightly under control unless you install a custom ROM (and then it's no more banking apps,etc.). And it's all for our own good, after all, big brother Google knows what's best for us!

[–] DerdWurst@lemmy.world 3 points 6 days ago

I just use the web browser instead of a banking app.

load more comments (7 replies)
[–] StarlightDust@lemmy.blahaj.zone 64 points 1 week ago (2 children)

While I won't tell people exactly what to search, I can guarantee that I can find malware first try on Google Play. Google Play Integrity is just as dodgy.

load more comments (2 replies)
[–] ScoffingLizard@lemmy.dbzer0.com 52 points 1 week ago

My personal favorite is how they are doing it to prevent data theft and malware. All they have ever done is trick people out of data. All of their shitty apps that I can not remove from my Samsung phone ARE the malware I do not want. Fuck Google and every person that works there!

[–] eager_eagle@lemmy.world 46 points 1 week ago (2 children)

shit like this really should be illegal

load more comments (2 replies)
load more comments
view more: next ›