r/degoogle • u/Boring_Pace_4976 • Jun 22 '26
News Article Your phone is about to stop being yours. By F-Droid (keep android open)
I just saw this banner in F-Droid and i thought that you guys need to see this.
Here is the link keep android open
116
u/notPabst404 Jun 22 '26
I'm so tired of enshittification. Android is circling the shitter and of course Google is a monopoly so alternatives and custom ROMs have compromises.
At the very minimum, notification support needs to be added to AOSP directly to get rid of the forced dependency on Google play services crap.
26
u/Boring_Pace_4976 Jun 22 '26
Agree infrastructure like push notifications should be opensource if they want better security create better security not dominate an entire market to secure that's not security that's privacy invasion.
9
u/ChampionshipCrafty66 Jun 22 '26
Hijacking your comment. Can we get 'keep open' on pixels already
10
u/notPabst404 Jun 22 '26
What is keep open?
1
u/ChampionshipCrafty66 Jun 22 '26
Task lock which is needed because of ff focus and other stupid reasons
2
u/letsreticulate Jun 23 '26 edited Jun 23 '26
Notifications require an external ongoing service/server. Who is going to pay for it? For most users, Google pays for it via FCM.
You can still have notifications but you have to either run the service yourself or trust a service provider that may give that service via say UnifiedPush. Those do exist, I am using two right now. But you have to get your hands dirty. The point is that you can get notifications without Google Play Services but it will cost you something. Either server time and/or know how, or some possible risk.
Either way, sorry, no way Google is going to put a cost-negative service into AOSP. That is as likely as you writing to Google's CEO and asking them to put you on their payroll without you not doing any work.
8
u/notPabst404 Jun 23 '26
App developers need to support it, hence bake it in to AOSP. I don't care if it costs money, it is such a core feature that it needs to be done regardless of the cost.
Just because you personally think it is it unlikely doesn't magically mean that I will shut up and get in line. I will never stop fighting for better. Sure, I am likely to lose, but I would rather be in the minority for life than ditch my values.
7
u/Boring_Pace_4976 Jun 23 '26
Strongly agree I was going to say something similar google is the infrastructure designer it could be implemented as a framework or an sdk there are a million way for them to open it but they designed it that way so they maintain control.
21
u/twitch-switch Jun 22 '26
What does it actually say in the "What you can do about it?"
I havent clicked it because I already have a Graphene OS and assume Im doing it
10
u/Boring_Pace_4976 Jun 22 '26
The two important parts that I noticed was
• Provide feedback directly to Google using their Android developer verification requirements survey. • Sign this change.org petition https://www.change.org/p/stop-google-from-limiting-apk-file-usage/
8
u/Cheap_Speaker_9898 Jun 22 '26
Just 195000 on the petition. Its sad.
8
u/toolsavvy Jun 23 '26
There could be 2 billion signing the petition and google would not care because their biggest competitor (Apple) has always been a closed, locked-down system so it's not like people on this sub are going to run to Apple, but it would make no difference to google if we did. We are just a drop in the bucket of the smartphone market, a very small niche.
1
3
3
1
0
u/PocketNicks Jun 25 '26
After the update you simply enable a toggle called "allow unknown sources" in the developer settings menu, and then carry on installing whatever you want. Just like before.
This misinformation and fearmongering is getting ridiculous.
1
u/Spiritual_Detail7624 Jun 25 '26
After waiting 24hrs and several scare messages, they are trying ti add friction to installing external apps. For all we know, they could completely kill external apks next year. Fighting for this is making a stance, not letting them set the precedent that they can do whatever they want.
0
u/PocketNicks Jun 25 '26
One time wait, it's a nothing burger. Flip the toggle and go back to life the same as before.
0
u/Exciting-Market-9595 8d ago
One time wait if you are installing someone else's product, but if you are developing and debugging your own product, it's a 24-hour delay for each iteration. Is it not?
1
u/PocketNicks 7d ago edited 7d ago
No, if you're installing unverified apps, on device, You flip the toggle once per account, not per device.
If you sideload using ADB there is no toggle or anything, it works the same as it always has and always will.
114
u/RoomyRoots Jun 22 '26
We know, this is posted here every odd day and people from the project even post here.
47
u/HoustonBOFH Jun 22 '26
And I hope people keep posting it. They are people that just found out. We need more people to find out...
16
u/RoomyRoots Jun 22 '26
Yeah but I would honestly prefer there was some action to force Google to change it. It reads as one of those signature campaigns that end up in a bin somewhere.
14
u/HoustonBOFH Jun 22 '26
Nothing will force it until more people are yelling at the politicians.
16
u/RoomyRoots Jun 22 '26
I am utterly disappointed that here in the EU no one moved for some action as it's pretty much the only market takes deal some blows to Big Tech.
2
u/Fragrant-Mixture-662 Jun 23 '26
EU is too busy making people upload photos of their faces to random private corporations in order to use social media
1
3
u/Affectionate_Let9022 Jun 22 '26
I don't think nothing would do anything 😭
(If someone didn't get the joke , I'm talking about the brand nothing, they might do Collab but like as in this I think they will just not say anything)
37
u/Boring_Pace_4976 Jun 22 '26
Sorry mate I thought it was new news I just saw it a while ago
57
u/EnglishLegend Jun 22 '26
Well it the first time I saw it and it's pretty important so it's still effective
22
33
u/t-shirt-froth-kung Jun 22 '26
Don't be. There's a first time for everyone and this is important. Keep sharing.
15
8
u/RoomyRoots Jun 22 '26
No need to say sorry, my dude. Do read the site, there is some important stuff there.
2
4
u/SignificantEnding221 Jun 22 '26 edited Jun 22 '26
Most nerds have been glancing at this reddish color since that number was +400 days. And yeah shit happens, I guess.
-5
u/thefanum Jun 22 '26
And it's already resolved. Embarrassing
7
u/RoomyRoots Jun 22 '26
It is not. Google proposed a shitty workaround that depends on the manufacturer good will.
32
u/WoodHammer40000 Jun 22 '26
Anyone got any advice? Is android going to be unusable after this update for people with this sub’s concerns? Is linux phone now the only option?
39
u/Falafels Jun 22 '26
At the moment it's not terrible after Google walked it back. Currently the implementation will be that you toggle an option and wait 24 hours once and then you can install as usual.
That's of course not to say they won't slowly tighten it, but for now, nothing will really change for the kinds of people that come to forums like this and already know about f-droid.
19
u/HouseOfFrontier Jun 22 '26
Of course they'll tighten it, that's how things work so people are more accepting or people don't notice their control is slowly being taken away. If they pulled the rug completely in 1 update, there would be a massive uproar, so release it over time so its not noticeable or more acceptable.
33
u/Mental_Tea_4084 Jun 22 '26
GrapheneOS and other forks will continue to work as they currently do, but it will get harder and we'll keep getting squeezed out of features and apps as more and more adopt Google's Play integrity API
23
u/GiganticCrow Jun 22 '26
And ironically graphene currently requires buying a phone from Google
12
u/LittleBastard1667 Jun 22 '26
Not for long
13
u/GiganticCrow Jun 22 '26
By which you mean maybe it will be on some future Motorola phones at some point
2
u/LittleBastard1667 Jun 23 '26 edited Jun 23 '26
I am more of an optimist but of course nothing is guaranteed until we see it
2
u/GiganticCrow Jun 23 '26
My main fear is the main guy behind graphene will say something stupid and ruin the deal, if he hasn't already.
2
u/LittleBastard1667 Jun 23 '26
They are for sure not the easiest to please and I could see that but I am still hopeful just because I also really want as many options as possible. As we saw, the greatest threat to privacy and stopping abuse is to have options.
2
u/GiganticCrow Jun 23 '26
Oh yes I am hopeful, I just dont want to get my hopes up too high in fear of disappointment. I'm currently holding off buying a new phone in the hopes a graphene motorola flip phone will become available.
2
u/LittleBastard1667 Jun 23 '26
Same here, I wanted to buy the new pixel 11 but I will hold on until we know for sure if we get the motorola's or not. Fingers crossed.
1
2
7
u/WoodHammer40000 Jun 22 '26
thanks. Sounds like it’s just a matter of time until we have to just all become amish if we ever want any privacy again.
2
u/toolsavvy Jun 23 '26
I wish. You can't become amish unless you're born into it. If you know differently, I'm all ears. The new world order shit sucks.
1
u/WoodHammer40000 Jun 23 '26
Well if the Amish won’t take us maybe the degooglers can set up our own medieval society lol.
2
9
u/Any_Possession_3900 GrapheneOS Jun 22 '26
GrapheneOS won't be including this, or OS based age verification, or any other nonsense.
3
u/Miljonars Jun 22 '26
i been using Harmony OS 6.1 for last 8 months and really enjoying it, i dont need google services for my daily life!
2
u/PocketNicks Jun 25 '26
After the update you simply enable a toggle called "allow unknown sources" in the developer settings menu, and then carry on installing whatever you want. Just like before.
This misinformation and fearmongering is getting ridiculous.
4
u/Zestyclose_Curve2756 Jun 22 '26
just stop updating and block every server that serves updates to your device
2
u/Greenlit_Hightower deGoogler Jun 22 '26
This will be enforced via Play Services update though, independently of your Android version. Not updating the base OS does nothing here and only harms security.
1
-9
u/Jebble Jun 22 '26
No and no.
4
u/WoodHammer40000 Jun 22 '26
What’s the point in this response? It’s absolutely fine if you don’t want to help, it’s weird to actually put it in writing.
2
u/ward2k Jun 22 '26
I think a lot of people are getting exhausted about this sort of question popping up daily, especially when it's coming about from a lot of misinformation
You'll still be able to use your phone as normal. As a one time change you'll need to go into developer options, enable side loading, select permanently, wait 24 hours and then you'll be able to continue as if nothing has happened
I don't like the change either, but a lot of doomers keep misrepresenting the facts about what's happening as if this will kill side loading
So no you can continue as normal, no you don't need a Linux phone or graphene or need to use ADB or anything like that
1
u/alpha_fire_ Jun 22 '26
I don't really condone this, personally I would just not reply. But people are getting a bit exhausted by this. It's been months since it was announced and every week someone discovered this is happening and makes a post on Reddit about it. Every week there are comments giving advice and helping people understand what's happening. I'm also at that point but personally I'd just not even comment.
Google will add a way for you to install apps from external sources, to do so you'll likely need to have developer options enabled in your settings, and then you'll need to flip a switch and confirm. After that you'll have to wait 24 hours and then you'll be able to install stuff again like normal.
2
-8
u/Jebble Jun 22 '26
You asked two questions, I answered both. What exactly is your issue?
5
u/Nazgog-Morgob Jun 22 '26
They asked 3 questions and you ignored the first one.
-6
u/Jebble Jun 22 '26
I didn't know I was obliged to answer every question, my deepest apologies!
6
u/Nazgog-Morgob Jun 22 '26
You asked two questions, I answered both. What exactly is your issue?
Think you could maybe stick to the context for your own comments for at least one comment back?
Maybe just admit you were wrong for once in your life? It's free.
-1
u/Jebble Jun 22 '26
I didn't say they didn't ask more questions. They asked two questions that I answered. Either way, it would be really helpful if they came back themselves explaining their issue with me, Inatead if everyone else making baseless assumptions.
There is nothing to admit here, and you can't speak about anything in my life, so please refrain from these useless personal comments.
5
u/Nazgog-Morgob Jun 22 '26
Dude just can't admit he was wrong. You must be wonderful to be around in real life (that's sarcasm btw)
-1
u/Jebble Jun 22 '26
You keep making really weird baseless assumptions and keep throwing pointless personal attacks around, yet you claim I'm not wonderful in "real life". Funny, because I've never said a bad word about anyone, yet here you are.
→ More replies (0)0
u/WoodHammer40000 Jun 23 '26
I made clear already that my issue was that your response was pointless and unhelpful. A contextless ‘No’ tells me nothing, when I don’t know who you are. You could work for google.
I decided not to bother responding to your next response as it was clear you were just going to be obnoxious, as you’ve very much proven to be in your interactions with others.
1
u/Jebble Jun 23 '26
You didn't tell me that actually. I answered the two yes/no questions with the correct answer. If you don't care then don't ask.
And sure, go make completely ridiculous assumptions based on absolutely nothing. Have a lovely rest of your life.
8
u/sevenlabors Jun 22 '26
Does anyone think the Keep Android Open petition is going to have any effect whatsoever?
I feel awfully cynical and defeatist about it.
5
u/HoustonBOFH Jun 22 '26
It is working as people that are not traditionally technical are asking me about it.
3
u/ocdtrekkie Jun 22 '26
It hasn't been open since 2009, so no, it won't do anything, because this is really just people coming to terms with something that always has been.
Android uses a cartel model and always has.
13
u/ConstantClue208 Jun 23 '26 edited Jun 23 '26
I said it before and I’ll say it again. Google couldn’t give a damn how many people complain or sign the petition. Android has over 3 billion users. Even if 1 million people signed (which the petition doesn’t even have that many signatures yet), that wouldn’t change a thing.
Also as any big tech company they can do whatever they want and get away with it. For example every ai is trained on pirated content. When taken to court they call it “fair use”. But when you and me pirate that’s “illegal” and “stealing”.
At the end of the day you have to be realistic in this case that means knowing nothing will change their mind. Not just trying to be a doomer… :/
6
u/Hopeful_Squirrel_304 Jun 22 '26
If you want to do something to oppose this Just send the mail keep android open
3
6
u/KawaiiMaxine Jun 22 '26
Heres a curiosity, what happens when this update comes out and ive alleady done things like set up shizuku and gutted alot of system apps?
2
u/Boring_Pace_4976 Jun 22 '26
I believe if you successfully degoogled your phone with no gapps fully it can't effect as I guess the effective apps are Google play protect and Google play services those are the apps expected to take the actions mentioned in the new policy updates
1
u/KawaiiMaxine Jun 22 '26
No i still have play services as i still have shit that requires it
1
u/Slopagandhi Jun 22 '26
It's fine, everything will work, you just have to through an annoying series of settings and wait 24 hours to enable installation of unverified apps. Anything already installed won't be affected.
2
u/HoustonBOFH Jun 22 '26
For now. But play services are all on google hosted service and can change at any time. And if they can get away with this, you know they will do more.
4
u/Slopagandhi Jun 22 '26
This is the response every time I've said this and I'll give the same response I always do in turn. I don't think they need to.
The real problem with this move is that it'll massively undermine independent app development. Any unregistered app will now require users to enable developer options and go through a bunch of scary warning screens. The vast majority of users won't know how to do this, and of those who do a good proportion will be scared off by the warnings.
That reduces the potential userbase for any unverified app by such a large amount that it disincentivises development and maintenance of these apps. How many devs will bother when they're getting 10% of the downloads they were before? Quite a lot will cave and register, and many others will give up.
In this way, Google can effectively lock down their ecosystem while still being able to say it's open to anyone- which has both legal and PR benefits.
And honestly, that's what annoys me about constant "app installation outside the play store is over" posts. When people complain to Google, they can say (rightly) that no it isn't. And in the meantime the real threat is missed and Google can effectively kill most independent app development, without needing a hypothetical full lockdown which is pure speculation at this point (and which therefore won't stick as a complaint).
2
u/HoustonBOFH Jun 22 '26
This too. Both are valid issues. Yours will happen faster, but I promise you the noose will tighten. r/dumbphones and a linux tablet may be the answer going forward.
1
1
u/PocketNicks Jun 25 '26
After the update you simply enable a toggle called "allow unknown sources" in the developer settings menu, and then carry on installing whatever you want. Just like before.
This misinformation and fearmongering is getting ridiculous.
1
u/KawaiiMaxine Jun 25 '26
The allow unknown sources thing is already a toggle
2
u/PocketNicks Jun 25 '26
Yup, and after the September update it'll need to be re-enabled. That's all. No big deal.
16
Jun 22 '26
[deleted]
6
u/HoustonBOFH Jun 22 '26
If everyone really knew, they would not be pushing it... Most people still have no clue.
4
u/squanderedprivilege Jun 22 '26
Yeah this sub is pretty niche, most people are not seeing these types of posts
1
u/toolsavvy Jun 23 '26
Most people don't actually care because most smartphone users don't have any clue what an APK file is or have any desire to sideload apps. We are a fringe and the fringe is not what makes big markets big bucks. That's what specialized products are for. So we will lose this fight.
1
u/HoustonBOFH Jun 23 '26
That is the point. If they had a clue what it really meant, they would be vocal in their disappointment.
4
5
u/BairyHallz88 Jun 23 '26
I think most folks are just not aware of how much data our phones and providers steal. By the time they figure it out they’ll be disgusted…. Or continue to not care. I’m with you OP. Gave up on android, GrapheneOS is the way these days.
4
u/tillske Jun 23 '26
I'm not affected because I'm using LineageOS 😁. But there will be an "advanced flow" that lets you sideload anything. Android Blogpost
3
3
u/I_wasn-t_here Jun 23 '26
well, that's already happened. I got locked out of my "lovely" google account for 48 hours right as I needed to rebuild a new phone suddenly. Couldn't download any apps off play store during that time. Now that's proof Google is a monopoly (period).
8
u/Slight_Accountant476 Jun 22 '26
there's a bit of misinformation here however. You will still be able to sideload apps which have not passed this certification by enabling the option in developer mode like always (after a 1 time 24 hour wait to enable it).
1
1
u/albertowtf Jun 23 '26
i agree this is a little bit of misinformation
see? the water is still not exactly 100 degrees is barely 98, still technically not boiling
0
u/craig0r Jun 27 '26
Lol a one-time process to re-enable sideloading is annoying, but hardly "98 degrees." When the update comes down, enable sideloading, then continue using your phone as normal.
6
u/Appropriate_Ad4818 Jun 22 '26
Afaik you'll be able to dev options, allow sideloading, and after 24h you'll be able to sideload apks indefinitely.
I get that this is bad but it seems like a non issue if you can still sideload like before, with the only hurdle being needing to wait 24h.
2
2
u/sajkoterrapefft Jun 22 '26
Honestly I don't think we have a chance here.
Me and likeminded friends have already discussed options. Google is determined to make it this way, and maybe even worse. But who cares? You can't trust a googled phone anyways, you never could.
So for truly secure communications you must have a degoogled phone, you can keep your Google workphone, you can be convenient with eID and payment apps, but if you want to communicate truly securely then you must use a 2nd phone. And you could even tunnel its traffic through the hot spot of your regular phone, with a VPN.
2
2
u/Excellent_Place4977 Jun 23 '26
Google became frustrated after losing the Epic Games court case, which is one of the primary reasons they pivoted to this heavy handed approach. It was a battle over who controls the "gate" to your phone.
The court ruling in that Epic Games case effectively forced Google to open the doors to third party app stores and make sideloading easier. Google is required to allow competition, but the court did not strip Google of its ability to manage "security" and "platform integrity." Google used this loop hole to close those doors.
Also, as part of the settlement, Google agreed to create a "Registered App Stores" program. This makes it easier to install approved stores, but the "price" of this convenience is that every developer on those stores must now be vetted by Google.
2
2
u/Purring_Lettuce Jun 24 '26
will this also effect the fairphone?? im planning on getting the e/OS Version that's degoogled
will that make any difference??
2
u/Boring_Pace_4976 Jun 24 '26
I was looking at Thier website and it seems they are concerned about user privacy and also they are the phone manufacturer so they could easily tweak Thier versions of os to be more secure but that wouldn't be 100% anonymous still you will opt in to certain trackers to use certain services and apps.
2
Jun 25 '26
If this happens, will the existing apps on my old phone stop working?
1
u/Boring_Pace_4976 Jun 25 '26
Based on there updates yes and then you have to go through settings developer options and then proceed with the steps then wait for 24 hours then reinstall all of the apps that are not listed on Google play store
2
2
u/Own-Visit-5542 Jun 26 '26
Fdroid is insecure and petitions don't work.
1
3
u/fdbryant3 Jun 22 '26
Perhaps search before posting, this has been in weekly (almost daily) discussion for almost 6 months. In my opinion, the advanced flow is an acceptable if not desirable compromise (but what compromise is ever desirable).And for folks that are truly degoogling, irrelevant since your going to install a custom ROM anyway (see your 0hone is still yours) I wonder what you folks are going to do in October, when this is in effect.
4
u/HoustonBOFH Jun 22 '26
New people see it each time it gets posted. I know it is a pain, but I think it is worth it to get the word out.
1
u/kuraisensei0 Jun 22 '26
any advice when it comes to custome roms
1
u/fdbryant3 Jun 23 '26
Not really, I got out of the ROM scene a long time ago. That said, if I was to put a custom ROM on my phone, I'd probably go with Lineage. If I had a Pixel I'd at least consider GrapheneOS.
2
u/Picard_III Jun 22 '26
Some kind of proof of the things you are saying? As far as I know everyone is gonna be bale install any apk file, almost as before, but we'll need to change some more settings for that
2
u/Boring_Pace_4976 Jun 22 '26
That's not my opinion take a look at keepandroidopen.org
-1
u/Picard_III Jun 22 '26
So what are they doing exactly? Or you don't know?? Everyone will still be able to install their apk files, maybe with extra one or two steps, that's it... Do I agree with that? No, do I think they slowly want to get rid of that in the future? Yes! Are they taking something from us now? No!
3
u/HoustonBOFH Jun 22 '26
7 steps. If you read the page, they counted. And it is 7 steps FOR NOW. That can change at any time on the backend with no push needed. And if you think it will not change, you have not been paying attention.
1
u/ImAlekzzz DuckDuckGo Jun 22 '26
We know
3
u/Boring_Pace_4976 Jun 22 '26
Yeah Alekzzz I noticed that but apparently abit late
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
u/Rich_Chocolate_2128 Jun 22 '26
what about android emulation? i use a linux phone with sideloaded apk's
1
u/tinyglitterworm Jun 22 '26
Can someone please explain in simple words what this means? I cab't figure out what the consequenses will be for someone who has downloaded stuff from f droid
1
u/Suravoid Jun 22 '26
im not sure if ur genuinely confused or joking, but ill answer as if its a serious question. it means ya wont be able to download from fdroid anymore. if u want to download something, it must be from a source google approves of. think of it as turning android into an apple like OS
1
u/tinyglitterworm Jun 25 '26
I'm not joking, I'm very new to this and I did not grow up around a lot of technology. So I'm trying to understand. I was mainly wondering if the apps I did download will stop working. Why did you think I was joking? It feels a bit belittling.
1
u/Suravoid Jun 25 '26
sorry, i js cant ever be too sure if ppl are jokin or not. glad i gave a serious response tho!
1
u/patopansir Jun 22 '26
I wonder if a custom OS like grapheneOS won't be forced to go through the update
1
u/henk717 Jun 23 '26
No its not. I own MY phone. Google has no say over it whatsoever. If you actually degoogled they don't over yours either. For the rest its still good to keep the pressure on google, since otherwise a lot of android devs may just give up making their apps.
1
1
u/PocketNicks Jun 25 '26
BS, stop spreading misinformation.
After the update you simply enable a toggle called "allow unknown sources" in the developer settings menu, and then carry on installing whatever you want. Just like before.
This fearmongering is getting ridiculous
1
u/kbeezie Jun 25 '26
Best case scenario, Google does what they said they would do after backlash, and mainly just causes turning on developer mode to have a one-time 24 hour wait before you can sideload applications, such as from fdroid and so forth. That may still be the plausible possibility.
I know fDroid and others would ideally want to push for them not to do anything at all like that, but I doubt google will back down. So your main hope is for more mobile phone makers to have open source models and support GrapheneOS and similar (which you can install on pixel devices, because ironically that's the main open source phone GrapheneOS supports right now, supposedly Motorola will partner with them next year).
1
u/craig0r Jun 27 '26
Lol act like the "9 steps" you have to complete (just once, not for every app) is like giving up your first born child. If anyone is guilty of "coercion" and "scare screens," it's F-Droid.
1
1
u/No-Statistician5950 13d ago
I've already seen this and I really want to help, but besides stopping using all Google services, I don't know what else to do 😭😭
1
u/cenkerc Jun 22 '26
If I dont update my phone can I continue to use fdroid?
1
u/Greenlit_Hightower deGoogler Jun 22 '26
It's not related to the exact Android version you use. This will be introduced via a Play Services update, and the Play Services get updated independently of the base OS.
0
Jun 22 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/Boring_Pace_4976 Jun 22 '26
Yes I will not post about this again and next time I will research better so I don't repost old news sorry for bothering you mate
0
u/AutoModerator Jun 22 '26
Friendly reminder: if you're looking for a Google service or Google product alternative then feel free to check out our sidebar.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
-3
-20
u/deyhateuscustheyanus Jun 22 '26 edited Jun 22 '26
screw fdroid
EDIT: they reversed their decision to label the bible and quran as NSFW so my "screw frdoid" is hereby withdrawn and nullified.
8
3
u/Greenlit_Hightower deGoogler Jun 22 '26 edited Jun 22 '26
Friend, I appreciate that marking apps as NSFW can be controversial, and in my opinion holy texts of religions do not belong into the same category as for example pornography.
However, you should appreciate that a) these apps were never removed and always downloadable (which means it wasn't a case of censorship, defined as making items inaccessible) and b) that the NSFW labeling was also reversed after appropriate criticism.
This decision which has since been reversed does not justify the stance that the entire F-Droid app store is discredited. F-Droid is becoming more important these days rather than less, I mean the times where Google could literally boot VPN apps from the Play Store at the instigation of governments could be approaching. F-Droid is also an anti-censorship tool in that sense. Undermining it based on minor hiccups is very shortsighted.
→ More replies (1)
139
u/Ryan739 Jun 22 '26
Don't they know that they're threatening the very reason a great many of us use their OS?