> You can publish any android app you want, that doesn't give you the right to anonymously deploy those apps on everyone's personal tracking devices (phones).
This is about users freedom to install apps on the devices they own.
> non-google-certified android builds/installs
Those targets are rapidly disappearing. Alternative Android ROMs are dying one by one. Look at how few modern phones are officially supported by LineageOS. And many of those are Pixels which Google is no longer releasing binaries for (making ROM builders lives harder).
> Do you guys understand that people's lives are being ruined by malware?
Do you have figures to back that up? There are already multiple warnings when sideload apps.
> For about a decade now, on Windows, you are required to have an ID-verified code signing certificate so sign drivers for example.
I don't have figures to back that up, but I did read some figures on posts regarding this. my comment was based on real-life compromises observed.
Drivers and applications are not the same thing, certainly and no application is the same as other applications. browsers aren't the same as file managers. To users what matters is impact not category. A persons entire life can be destroyed because of one side-loaded app, much less so with a windows rootkit (because you don't have phone number/2fa app,etc.. on your windows box).
Users are free to buy devices that let them install any app. Google is responsible for the majority of users who don't care about installing apps from anonymous randos, but care much much more about their livelihoods and well being suffering at the hands of criminals!
> Those targets are rapidly disappearing. Alternative Android ROMs are dying one by one. Look at how few modern phones are officially supported by LineageOS. And many of those are Pixels which Google is no longer releasing binaries for (making ROM builders lives harder).
Ok, then let's talk about that, I'm all for sticking it to Google for all that b.s., but not for the topic at hand.
I have a lot of third party apps and none of them are by 'anonymous' developers. Presenting the situation as if everyone is exposed to 'anonymous' apps and Google is here to save you is misleading and fear‑mongering.
Then what's the problem here? If they're not anonymous, what do they lose that's so valuable that it is worth endangering the unsuspecting public over?
This is about users freedom to install apps on the devices they own.
> non-google-certified android builds/installs
Those targets are rapidly disappearing. Alternative Android ROMs are dying one by one. Look at how few modern phones are officially supported by LineageOS. And many of those are Pixels which Google is no longer releasing binaries for (making ROM builders lives harder).
> Do you guys understand that people's lives are being ruined by malware?
Do you have figures to back that up? There are already multiple warnings when sideload apps.
> For about a decade now, on Windows, you are required to have an ID-verified code signing certificate so sign drivers for example.
Drivers and applications are not the same things.