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Google’s Sideloading Crackdown: Why It’s a Threat to Everyone’s Privacy and Freedom
(the.unknown-universe.co.uk)
this post was submitted on 01 Apr 2026
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Privacy
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So Android is open source, right?
What is to stop the community from just making and releasing their own android version, and be done with it?
Yes, Android is open source. But the thing is, Google’s clampdown on sideloading isn’t just about the OS code itself. It’s really about controlling the whole app ecosystem and making it harder for people to install apps outside of Google’s own channels.
Sure, folks can fork Android and make their own versions — that’s been happening for years with projects like LineageOS. But the tricky part is keeping all the apps working smoothly without Google’s proprietary stuff like Play Services. Without that, a lot of apps just don’t behave right, and the user experience takes a hit.
So basically, just having Android’s code open isn’t enough to keep it truly open and easy to use. The real control is in the ecosystem around it, and that’s what Google’s tightening grip is all about.
Then lets get the Wine equivalent for Android? Have an open sourced OS that will still run google play bullshit
SteamOS and Proton are kind of paving the way. It’ll be interesting to see if Steam Frame can take that further, especially on mobile/ARM, and shake up the usual players.
Well they are paving the way, but on PC's... I'm talking about mobile phones and android :)