Keep Android Open has issued an open letter to both Google and the Android development collective, contending that the recently proposed policy jeopardizes innovation, market rivalry, personal data protection, and user liberties.
Google’s forthcoming Android developer verification initiative, which mandates that all Android applications be registered by authenticated developers, is encountering considerable resistance. Critics are actively encouraging developers to abstain from participating in the program and to publicly voice their dissent.
A formal letter of opposition to this verification scheme was published on February 24 by Keep Android Open, an alliance actively challenging Google’s new policy. By February 26, the document had garnered 41 signatures, including those from prominent organizations like the Electronic Frontier Foundation, the Free Software Foundation, the Center for Digital Progress, and the Software Freedom Conservancy. Marc Prud’hommeaux from the F-Droid Android development collective elaborated in a blog post: “Android, which currently operates as an open ecosystem allowing anyone to freely create and share applications, is poised to transition into a restricted environment. This will necessitate universal developer registration with Google to enable software distribution.”
Attempts to contact Google for a statement on February 26 were unsuccessful. The initiative was initially revealed on August 25, 2026. From September onwards, Android will stipulate that all applications must be registered by authenticated developers before they can be deployed on officially certified Android devices. Suzanne Frey, Google’s VP, Product, Trust and Growth for Android, stated in the announcement blog post: “To enhance user protection against persistent malicious entities disseminating malware and fraudulent schemes, we are introducing an additional security measure to ensure safer app installation for all: developer verification.” She further explained, “This establishes essential accountability, significantly impeding malicious actors from rapidly circulating another detrimental application once we have removed the initial one.”
However, Keep Android Open contests this stance. In their public letter, the collective urges Google to undertake the following actions:
- Promptly revoke the compulsory developer registration stipulation for all external distribution channels.
- Initiate open and clear communication with civil society groups, developers, and regulatory bodies concerning enhancements to Android security that uphold principles of openness and fair competition.
- Pledge to uphold platform impartiality, thereby guaranteeing that Android continues to function as a truly open ecosystem, preventing any conflict between Google’s position as a platform provider and its own business objectives.
Keep Android Open advocates for developers to show resistance by declining early access registration, refraining from preliminary verification, and rejecting any invitations to the Android Developer Console. The organization suggests that developers should instead reply to such invitations by detailing their concerns and objections. Furthermore, it prompts consumers to reach out to their respective national regulatory authorities to vocalize their worries.
