[papercrane]

For clarity, they're requiring apps to be signed by a verified developer on certified Android devices. You can still side load, but the verification is still required for the side loaded apps.

[DaiPlusPlus]

Future HN headline: Pam Bondi orders Google to revoke verification status and code signing certificates of authors of {partisan/politically-unfavourable Android app}

[fearless1ron]

This still means that Google is effectively gatekeeping what can be installed on the hardware you own and what cannot.