Civil society groups oppose Google’s planned mandatory developer registration for Android
More than 40 organisations have urged Google to withdraw a planned policy that would require all Android developers to register with the company before distributing apps outside the Play Store, citing concerns over competition, privacy and platform openness.
A coalition of civil society organisations, nonprofit institutions and technology companies has sent a letter to Google’s leadership opposing a forthcoming policy that would require all Android app developers to register with Google before distributing applications outside the Google Play Store.
The policy, announced by Google and expected to take effect globally in the coming months, would apply to developers distributing apps through alternative channels such as their own websites, third-party app stores, enterprise systems or direct transfers. Under the proposal, developers would need to complete a central verification process with Google, agree to its terms and conditions, pay a fee and submit government-issued identification.
The signatories state that while platform security and user safety are important, Android already includes multiple security mechanisms that do not depend on central developer registration. These include application sandboxing, permission systems, developer signing certificates, user warnings for sideloaded apps and Google Play Protect.
According to the letter, extending mandatory registration beyond Google’s own marketplace alters Android’s historical positioning as an open platform. The groups argue that requiring developers who do not use Google’s services to register with the company expands Google’s control over distribution channels in which it does not directly operate.
The letter outlines six main areas of concern. These include potential barriers to entry for small developers, open-source contributors, researchers and organisations operating in politically sensitive or sanctioned environments. The groups also raise privacy issues linked to the creation of a centralised database of all Android developers, including questions about data storage, government access and the implications for developers working on privacy-focused applications.
Further concerns relate to enforcement and governance. The signatories argue that extending Google’s existing review and account management processes to all distribution channels could expose developers to suspension or rejection decisions with limited transparency or appeal. They also highlight possible anticompetitive effects, noting that mandatory registration could provide Google with insight into alternative distribution models and competing services.
The letter references ongoing regulatory scrutiny of dominant digital platforms in multiple jurisdictions, including the European Union and the United States, and suggests that any compliance with regulatory obligations should not result in increased centralisation or control over the Android ecosystem.
The organisations call on Google to rescind the mandatory registration requirement for third-party distribution, engage in dialogue with developers and civil society on security improvements, and reaffirm Android’s openness and platform neutrality.
Among the signatories are European Digital Rights (EDRi), the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), the Free Software Foundation (FSF), the Tor Project, Open Rights Group, KDE e.V., Nextcloud, Proton AG, F-Droid and several other digital rights and open-source organisations from Europe, North America, Asia and Australia.
