Libertarians are idiots to think market forces will solve this. Google and Apple have enormous incentives to lock down their platforms.
Zapstore's avatar Zapstore
The Guulag closing its claws. In about a year from now, all apps running stock Android (including sideloaded like Zapstore) will have to come from verified developers. Becoming verified requires KYC. https://techcrunch.com/2025/08/25/google-will-require-developer-verification-for-android-apps-outside-the-play-store/
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Replies (19)

sean's avatar
sean 4 months ago
What alternative shall we build?
This action is clearly desired by the state. Countless layers of regulation play into the existence of the duopoly. There is effectively no market left that could solve this.
Create Developer Guilds as legal representative/shield, these could be non profits, something like HRF or OpenSats and use these for the "KYC"
NaturalNerd's avatar
NaturalNerd 4 months ago
I would like that. I tried a couple Linux phone operating systems a couple years ago. They were unreliable. This may bring more developers over work on them
Scurvydog's avatar
Scurvydog 4 months ago
So you’re saying you have to buy one of their devices?
Peace K 🪙's avatar
Peace K 🪙 4 months ago
You are right! What do you think is the correct course of action?
Google and Apple would not be in the position to do this without government protection from competition.
These companies have such power only because of government regulations and patents. But surely more government will solve this, right mr. idiot?