Google's dev registration plan 'will end the F-Droid project

""The F-Droid project cannot require that developers register their apps through Google, but at the same time, we cannot 'take over' the application identifiers for the open-source apps we distribute, as that would effectively seize exclusive distribution rights to those applications," he said. "If it were to be put into effect, the developer registration decree will end the F-Droid project and other free/open source app distribution sources as we know them today," said Prud'hommeaux."

"Last month, Google said that from next year, but with a gradual rollout, Android certified devices will only install apps that are registered by verified developers, even when sideloaded, meaning that they are installed from a source other than the official Play store. Google claims that the changes are being introduced to protect users from "bad actors spreading malware and scams," according to the official post last month. Restricting apps to those from verified developers creates accountability, the company argues, and sideloaded apps have "over 50 times more malware.""

Google plans to require developer registration for apps installed on Android certified devices, including sideloaded apps, with a gradual rollout starting next year. The planned changes are incompatible with F-Droid because F-Droid cannot require developers to register with Google and cannot assume application identifiers without seizing exclusive distribution rights. The developer registration decree would end F-Droid and similar free/open-source distributors. F-Droid enforces a "no user accounts, by design" policy to prevent user tracking. Google frames the change as protecting users from malware and scams, citing higher malware rates for sideloaded apps, while open-source auditing is presented as a security advantage.

Read at Theregister