Read our open letter opposing the Android Developer Verification program — Keep Android Open
Despite vague mentions of an “advanced flow” for experienced users, Google's official description still states: “Starting in September 2026, Android will require all apps to be registered by verified developers in order to be installed on certified Android devices.” Until bypass is shown without friction, we must assume all non‑registered apps will be blocked.
In August 2025, Google announced ↗ that as of September 2026, developing for Android requires central registration with Google: pay a fee, agree to terms, provide government ID, upload private signing key, list all current/future app identifiers.
Do not sign up for early access, identity verification, or Android Developer Console invitations. Politely decline and share concerns. Discourage others, use #FreeDroidWarn library ↗, add the countdown banner to your site. If you're a Google employee with insight, contact tips@keepandroidopen.org (non‑work, non‑gmail).
Use Google's developer verification survey ↗, post on socials linking https://keepandroidopen.org, combat astroturfing, and edit this page ↗ with more info.
Regulators care about monopolies. Be polite, specific, and mention harm to consumers and competition. Citizens’ complaints have impact. Request written acknowledgement, forward to victory@keepandroidopen.org.
United Kingdom general.enquiries@cma.gov.uk · CMA ↗
India cci-chairman@nic.in · CCI ↗
Japan intnldiv@jftc.go.jp · MCSA ↗
Canada info@competitionbureau.gc.ca · Competition Bureau ↗
Australia international@accc.gov.au · ACCC ↗
South Korea kftc@korea.kr · KFTC ↗
Mexico denuncias@antimonopolio.gob.mx · Comisión Antimonopolio ↗
Philippines PCC ↗
Poland uokik@uokik.gov.pl · UOKiK ↗
Czech Republic posta@uohs.gov.cz · ÚOHS ↗
Ukraine · National Commission ↗ · Antimonopoly Committee ↗
Chinese Mainland SAMR 010-88650000 · 12315.cn (inside mainland) ·
Saudi Arabia info@gac.gov.sa · General Authority for Competition ↗
Switzerland · Competition Commission ↗
Argentina cndc@produccion.gob.ar · CNDC ↗
Turkey · Rekabet Kurumu ↗
Overview: consumerrights.wiki/Android_Developer_Verification ↗
Editorials & blogs: “An Open Letter” – F-Droid; “Keep Android Open” – F-Droid; “Your Smartphone, Their Rules” – ACLU; “Application Gatekeeping” – EFF; “What We Talk About When We Talk About Sideloading”; “F-Droid and Google's Developer Registration Decree”; “Darth Android” – Pluralistic; “Google plans to block side-loading” – Tuta; “Join The Protest” – I Programmer; many more (see full site).
Press: Ars Technica, The Register, Techzine, OpenSourceForU, TechRepublic, Reclaim The Net, Cybernews, Datamation, TechSpot, Techdirt, Gizmochina, Slashgear, MakeUseOf, TechCrunch, The Verge, 9to5Google, Heise, etc.
Video responses: Techlore, Louis Rossmann, LTT, LWN, ChiefGyk3D (links to YouTube/Invidious).
Discussions: HN threads, Reddit r/degoogle, r/fossdroid, r/androiddev, Lobsters.
info@keepandroidopen.org
Mastodon: @keepandroidopen@techhub.social
Bluesky: @keepandroidopen.bsky.social
Twitter: @AlteredDeal · LinkedIn: keepandroidopen
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