Google will block sideloading of unverified Android apps starting next year
Google says it’s no different than checking IDs at the airport.
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EU: How often do I have to teach you, old man?
EU: Thank you Google for complying with the DSA.
This is a a huge part of it, the whole "prevent illegal" parts.
The EU isn't going to punish them for this, they will hold this up as the golden standard.
Inside the EU's chest there are two wolves.
Just as they did with Apple when they forced them to allow sideloading? So yeah, the EU will push massively against this if its implemented there.
Where does it say that Google is blocking all side loading?
It says they are blocking the installing of unsigned apps. This is the macOS Gatekeeper being the only option on Android. You can still download and install apps that aren't in the Play Store. So the EU will still love this as 3rd party apps can still exist, but at the same time anything "illegal" can be reported to them immediately.
It's effectively becoming the gate keeper in the same way apple only allowing app installs through its app store only is a gate keeper.
You mean when they forced Apple to implement the "trusted trader" scheme.
No, i mean when they forced apple to open their IOS system to side loading custom, unverified apps.
Here, have a read:
https://support.apple.com/en-gb/117767
The trusted trader scheme only applies if you want to distribute your app via the official apple iOS app store.
The DSA requires people offering apps ("traders") to provide certain information. For example: address, email, and phone number must be made public. When Apple introduced that, this also caused some outrage and calls for EU regulation. Despite the fact that this was exactly the regulation called for. Hence, why I mentioned that trusted trader scheme.
Google may be legally required to do this. I'm not sure how the DSA is to be interpreted on this. It's certainly not a stretch (see Article 31). It's out of touch to believe the EU will push against this.
The EU waltz.
One step forward.
One step to the left.
Two steps to the right.
Three steps back.
Repeat.
The Cyber Resilience Act may also have something to do with this.
EU is moving full steam ahead toward the end of "private" computers and mandatory state surveillance on your devices. They'll be delighted with that. The funky "hey, we're consumer friendly" times are over.
