'Not acceptable': Judge orders Google to make rival app store installs easier

77 pointsposted 9 hours ago
by Jimmc414
(theverge.com)

20 Comments

ColdStream

9 hours ago

It is funny how we have two storm fronts here. Google trying to lock down apps to only Google approved developers, and legal decisions to open up alternative app stores that would potentially use apps that are not Google approved.

One wonders which side will win this one? All I know is, I still want my F-Droid with apps that Google doesn't have power over.

inigyou

an hour ago

Both. If they copy Apple, which they will, you'll be able to install any app store but the app store will only be able to install Google-approved apps.

lern_too_spel

7 hours ago

HN in general has completely misunderstood app verification. App verification is what allows rival app stores to be installed without a warning, even if they aren't installed from a system app store. It is a direct result of this ruling.

It's still possible to install any app with a warning. A future Google Android build will require developer mode to be enabled to install those apps. That is the problem to address, not app verification, which will be rolled out as a Google Play Services update to existing Google Android builds and makes it strictly easier to install apps than before.

graceful6800

2 minutes ago

Sure, just like age verification is what allows governments to protect children, right?

crote

7 hours ago

Before app verification any app store could install any app without having the user jump through crazy hoops. After app verification any app store can only install Google-blessed apps without having the user jump through crazy hoops.

App verification does not "allow" anything. Its only purpose is to block non-blessed apps through third-party stores and extracting an additional bribe from developers. You cannot view app verification's existence without considering the broader environment it was created for.

chapz

5 hours ago

App verification means, Google can deny apps entry into Android for whatever reason Google comes up with. There are no clear and objective rules nor are there any real options to object.

And that is the problem. Google can just deny anything that does stuff in a creative new way or that poses a competitive risk.

And, if Google decides you are not comming in, there is no warning you can click to go around that.

skeledrew

2 hours ago

> App verification is what allows rival app stores to be installed without a warning, even if they aren't installed from a system app store

Wrong. That's what the company wants. App verification isn't needed for anything, and a "rival app store" is just another app store and should be treated as such.

NewJazz

7 hours ago

What does app verification mean to you? Does it involve sending a copy of your ID to google? Because imho that alone is a problem.

skeledrew

2 hours ago

Love it. The only problem is that they can just make this changes region-specific, like Apple has been doing with everything they didn't like being ordered to do. So in the end these international companies are minimally affected.

benoau

7 hours ago

What a day for app store regulation: when it rains it pours as the saying goes.

sgc

6 hours ago

what else did I miss today?

digitalPhonix

3 hours ago

> “Have it done by a week from today”, he ordered

I’m glad judges are sick of their feet dragging. I’m sad it’s not happening to Apple too though.

p0w3n3d

7 hours ago

Quoting BoJack Horseman ``You've been adjudicated''

kotaKat

2 hours ago

Anyone else noticed that every single other company that had a bone to pick against Apple or Google (companies like Match and Spotify) haven't been saying shit lately about any of this?

It's always still just Epic Games being whiny and pissy?

Kinda weird. I guess once Spotify got 300+ million paid subscribers they lost the plot themselves on what they were fighting for (and haven't given us things like promised AirPlay 2 support still). I guess the Match Group found other ways to pry and extort money out of sad lonely people.

But Timmy? Oh, Timmy needs his 63% developer take of in-game purchases inside Fortnite. The kids need their skins!

inigyou

an hour ago

They're probably afraid to get banned by Google (which is guaranteed to happen and they did ban Epic), lose all their revenue and go out of business before the lawsuit finishes (Epic's is still going after years and years)

alightsoul

6 hours ago

I am not sure I am against app verification. I almost installed an APK that was a banking infostealer. Is there really no other way? Microsoft fixed this with a built in virus scanner on Windows

inigyou

an hour ago

There's definitely no way to prevent crime except for putting a surveillance camera in everyone's bathroom.

martheen

4 hours ago

Android, at least those with Play Service, already have built-in scanning for APKs right now. The main problem is currently only Google can "trust" the dev signature for apps they release, so if an app or dev is in Google's naughty list, either for outright malware or for an adblocker, they're out.

At least there will be a setting for users to allow any app from any dev, which those who know about it will enable right away, and those who don't know about it have no business to use it anyway.

graemep

5 hours ago

That is exactly the problem a choice of app stores solves. Instead of downloading APKs you se stores you trust, and some store apps support multiple repos. Its a Linux like solution.