• trevor (he/they)@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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    22 hours ago

    It’s not FUD. The “install unknown apps” toggle already does what you’re describing. Whatever the intentionally vague blurbs from Google imply, whatever the new toggle ends up being will be worse.

    And that doesn’t account for the need they’re creating for a “student/hobbyist” account that Google is creating. If you use such an account, your app can only be installed on a limited number of devices, which Google will control.

    • socsa@piefed.social
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      16 hours ago

      That’s not what the article says at all. It is saying there will be a path to install unsigned apks, which by definition would not be attached to any developer account.

    • tinned_tomatoes@feddit.uk
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      21 hours ago

      Google has made an important concession. The company says it is now developing an “advanced flow that allows experienced users to accept the risks of installing software that isn’t verified.” This installation flow will include safeguards to protect people who are being coerced into installing a dangerous app, or tricked by a scammer, along with “clear warnings to ensure users fully understand the risks involved.”

      It’s just going to be an evolution of the existing toggle, with a bit more scary language around it.

      • trevor (he/they)@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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        20 hours ago

        Again: Google would not be doing this if there was no perceived benefit for them. If it was merely a matter of adding a scarier warning, then what purpose does the new “student/hobbyist” account type that restricts the number of devices your app can be installed on serve??