Post #3108095

2026-03-20 09:20 UTC

@JamesDBartlett3@techhub.social No, it's not really if you analyse it. It's Google taking control of your device and "sideloading" is a loaded term. No one should have to use the Playstore. Also the Playstore is full of scams and malware (not the same thing). It's up to Google (Alphabet) to manage the Playstore (which they do badly), not your device. It's abuse.. Imagine if MS or IBM had tried this in the 1980s on PCs? Or Apple on Apple II & Mac. Or Amstrad on the PCW. MS and Apple also now too controlling.

Replies (2)

@raymaccarthy@mastodon.ie 2026-03-20 09:22

@JamesDBartlett3@techhub.social Also "enabling developer mode, there’s a quick check designed to make sure that no one is coaching the user to turn off their security protections. Users will then restart their phone and reauthenticate, a process that cuts off any remote access or active phone calls that a scammer may be using to watch what their potential victim is doing. After a one-time, one-day protective waiting period, users will be able to confirm it’s really them making the change." Harder than now.

Open ##3108097
@JamesDBartlett3@techhub.social 2026-03-20 13:51

@raymaccarthy@mastodon.ie I said it's good news, not great news. Would you prefer the alternative, which is that they won the court case and continued with their plan to completely disable any sideloading at all?

Open ##3108098