[wernsey]

The cynic in me believes Google is doing this to exert more control over the Android ecosystem, and has very little to do with security.

I'm also afraid it will make it easier for Google to bend to authoritarian regimes and ban developers whose apps are not government approved.

Think it can't happen? Think different:

https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/10/apple-bends-to-t...

[bitpush]

Didnt Apple get away with lot of App Store scrutiny with their current model. Why else wouldnt other app stores follow the practice?

[gdulli]

A desire to treat their customers like adults. Or to feign that desire temporarily to win the market share of those for whom that's important.

[stuaxo]

Surely this is a time where you don't have to much of a cynic at all to believe this.

[wernsey]

Sadly true. There was a time I would've given them the benefit of the doubt.

And don't call me Shirley