Anonymous13 days ago
Google has unveiled a new six-step "advanced flow" for installing unverified Android apps, replacing the platform's simple sideloading toggle with a process that includes enabling developer mode, a mandatory 24-hour waiting period, and biometric verification. The change, launching August 2026 alongside a broader developer verification mandate, has drawn opposition from 56 organizations including the EFF and F-Droid, who argue it transforms Android from an open platform into one where Google controls all software distribution across 3.9 billion devices.