[nukeop]

Years pass, we have sci-fi level technology, and the main method of distributing programs to users on Windows is still downloading .exes from random sites and being on the lookout for the browser toolbar trying to sneak by when installing. I don't know what's worse, this, or Google trying to wrestle yet another group of website owners into obedience.

[rob74]

Well, at least under Windows (and MacOS) you are still able to distribute your application using an installer which users can download from your own site, rather than being forced to use a centralized "app store". And policies like these are making this more difficult. However they won't stop shady sites which "re-bundle" open source applications and add spyware - those will have no problem getting an HTTPS certificate.

[Crinus]

What would be a solution to that that wont end up giving 3rd parties practical control over what you can and cannot run in your own computer?

(the practical bit is because in theory you can blessed repositories/app stores that users can setup, but in practice this means that the vast majority of users will keep the default repositories and thus if you want your program to be used you'll need the permission of whoever owns these default repositories - ending up with a walled garden even if in theory the walls are low and you can jump over to other gardens)