With mandatory verification, Google wants to make the Android operating system safer.
Google wants to change and better secure the sideloading of apps, meaning the installation of apps that don’t come from the Play Store. The company reassures users that sideloading “won’t disappear,” but says it will become somewhat more complicated.
Android Developer Verifier
Central to the new approach is the Android Developer Verifier, which checks with every installation whether the app’s package name and signing key are registered with Google. This should prevent the spread of malware, but according to Ars Technica, it gives the tech giant the ability to block apps like adblockers in the future.
Google says it’s adding a local cache of frequently used apps, but verification for unknown apps goes through the cloud. Internet connectivity is therefore required for verification. Developers must also pay a registration fee of $25, similar to the Play Store. Only individuals and students can register for free.
Strange Timing
While Google claims it only checks apps with a “high risk of harm,” developers fear that the measure will in practice lead to stricter control or even censorship. The timing raises questions: Google is already under pressure with lawsuits over abuse of power regarding the Play Store.