#app store

Again, normally I wouldn't post anything and this isn't anything KOSA, AB 1043, AB 1709 related. But I think this is just as important for internet freedom. As of September 2026, all app developers must be registered by verified developers in order for apps to be installed on certified Android devices.

This means that if you want to install an app that isn't from the play store, you cannot unless the developer has verified through googles program. Not only does it effect consumers choice, it also effects app developers who focus on open source or community based software on android.

Now you can say that you can switch to apple and use their app store, but it will be a little more restrictive on which apps you can download (I assume, never used an Iphone). Plus, don't forget they have implemented age verification on their app store which is a huge problem in itself. Want to download an app from github, can't its not verified. Want to download a apk file, can't its not verified. You cannot download in android anything unless it approved by google!!!

Another issue for this is that android app developers have to follow these steps just to develop apps.

Not only will it drive developers to not create apps, developers overall will just give up, leaving users with less options for apps that fit their needs. Android whole deal is that its open and free for users, a distinction on the ios, now you're saying its not. This is just anticompetitive behavior. Yet again google enshittifying things and deciding what you do.

If you want any more information on this, heres a website on the situation, as well as what to do if you're a app developer and android user.

As of reading this, google has not backed down on its Android Developer Verification Program, still stating its stance on its description. Also please sign this petition. We have limited before this is implemented, fight back and don't give into google.

I HEARD ABOUT THIS❗️⚠️

Some other person asked a similar ask a few days ago! Yes, they are trying to age gate. Your literal computer/operating systems they run on now!

Direct quote from the bill:

This bill, beginning January 1, 2027, would require, among other things related to age verification with respect to software applications, an operating system provider, as defined, to provide an accessible interface at account setup that requires an account holder, as defined, to indicate the birth date, age, or both, of the user of that device for the purpose of providing a signal regarding the user’s age bracket to applications available in a covered application store and to provide a developer, as defined, who has requested a signal with respect to a particular user with a digital signal via a reasonably consistent real-time application programming interface regarding whether a user is in any of several age brackets, as prescribed. The bill would require a developer to request a signal with respect to a particular user from an operating system provider or a covered application store when the application is downloaded and launched.

🇺🇲⭐️PLEASE! CALL, EMAIL, FAX, ETC. YOUR REPS ABOUT THIS ISSUE ESPECIALLY IF YOU LIVE IN CALIFORNIA BECAUSE THIS IS WHERE THIS IS GOING ON!⭐️🇺🇲

(The Bill is called Assembly Bill No. 1043 They are targeting operating system providers like: Apple, Google, Microsoft, Linux distributors, app store operators, etc.)

This type of stuff has to be stopped! This age verfication stuff has gone TOO FAR!

Sources:

https://www.tumblr.com/flare4688/809737406485069825/uh-california-please-stop-being-stupid?source=share

https://www.newsbreak.com/share/4514840816161-a-new-california-law-says-all-operating-systems-including-linux-need-to-have-some-form-of-age-verification-at-account-setup?s=a7&share_destination_id=MjI3MjM3ODc1LTE3NzIyMjQyODE4MDY=&pd=0FNSx16C&hl=en_US&send_time=1772224281&actBtn=bottomBar&_f=app_share&trans_data=%7B%22platform%22%3A1%2C%22cv%22%3A%2226.6.3%22%2C%22languages%22%3A%22en%22%7D#topdoc

(This is the bill👇)

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1043

(Thank you, Anon, for the info :) 🙏❤️! This is absolutely ridiculous!)

Not that I often acquire new patrons, but if anyone has been considering it (we got printables!), I strongly encourage you to do it from a computer, NOT from the iOS Patreon app.

Apple's going to take 30% of the money you pledge to the indie artists you want to support on Patreon and just shove it into their fat pockets.

No reason other than greed. And probably to tighten censorship down the line, but we'll get to that bridge later.

For me, money from my patrons helps me pay for groceries/vet/cremation and the occasional treat. Many times these past few years it's literally been the difference between boiling flour in water to eat, or having some vegetables and broth to go with that.

What is that money to Apple? Just a fucking drop of water in an ocean of money they hoard away for points in a no stakes play-pretend game of their own creation. What do any of those ghouls know about love or hunger?

"CEO Tim Cook met U.S. House members on Wednesday to push back against federal legislation that could require the iPhone maker to authenticate users' ages and possibly collect sensitive data on children, lobbying instead to put the onus on parents to decide whether to tell app stores about a child's age."

It's the App Store Accountability Act

This would be something similar to what Texas did this year.

"While the notion of age limits for online content has broad U.S. public support, legislative efforts have kicked off a behind-the-scenes brawl between Apple and Google and tech rivals such as Meta Platforms (META.O), opens new tab. Apple and Google, which own the largest app stores in the world, say verifying the age of minors could entail mass collection of children's birth certificates and other sensitive documents, while Facebook and Instagram owner Meta has argued that requiring app stores to check ages is the only effective way to enforce limits."

what apple said

Apple has always pushed back from data collection due to privacy concerns " Cook met House Energy and Commerce Committee members on Capitol Hill on Wednesday to discuss the concerns, Apple said."

"Not all legislative proposals are equally protective of privacy or focused on holding all players in the ecosystem accountable," Apple's global head of privacy, Hilary Ware, said in a letter to the committee last week. "Some well-intended proposals for age verification at the app marketplace level ... would require the collection of sensitive information about anyone who wants to download an app, even if it’s an app that simply provides weather updates or sports scores."

Apple is changing in order to comply with the new Texas law, App Store Accountability Act, which is law that is aimed at enhancing child safety by verifying user ages and obtaining parental consent when downloading apps for minors.

Apple has spoken out how this law won’t be a positive thing and will impact users privacy