Maya Robertson
Open-source app repository F-Droid has issued a strong warning that Google’s newly announced developer registration requirements could spell the end of independent app distribution on Android. The group argues that the policy, set to take effect in 2026, would make it impossible for projects like F-Droid to continue operating, effectively consolidating control of app distribution under Google.
At the core of the dispute is Google’s plan to mandate that all Android developers verify their identity with government-issued ID, pay a registration fee, and disclose the package identifiers of their apps—even if those apps are not distributed through the Google Play Store. Google says the measure is designed to strengthen security and combat malware, but F-Droid contends that it is less about user protection and more about tightening corporate control over the Android ecosystem.
F-Droid has been a staple for privacy-conscious Android users for 15 years, offering a catalog of free and open-source apps stripped of ads and trackers. Unlike commercial app stores, F-Droid operates without user accounts and relies on transparent build processes to ensure app authenticity. According to the group, these principles would be impossible to maintain under Google’s new system, which requires centralized registration.
“The developer registration decree will end the F-Droid project and other free/open-source app distribution sources as we know them today,” the group said in a statement. Because F-Droid cannot require developers to register with Google—or take control of their application identifiers—its catalog would break, leaving users unable to download or update apps.
The group also disputes Google’s framing of the policy as a security measure. Critics point out that Google Play itself has repeatedly hosted malicious apps, while Android devices already include Play Protect, a service capable of remotely disabling malware. F-Droid argues that its open-source model, reproducible builds, and public audit trails provide a stronger safeguard than corporate gatekeeping.
Beyond the immediate impact on F-Droid, the policy raises broader questions about the future of software freedom on Android. Observers warn that if Google proceeds, the platform could resemble Apple’s iOS, where sideloading and alternative app stores are heavily restricted. F-Droid frames this as a fundamental rights issue: if users own their devices, they should retain the freedom to install any software they choose.
F-Droid is calling on regulators in the US, EU, and other regions to examine Google’s planned rules under competition and digital markets laws. Whether authorities intervene may determine whether Android remains an open ecosystem or moves closer to a closed, single-gatekeeper model.
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