Thread

1. Gareth321 · 1789560773 · focus · HN ↗

   MAYBE operating systems shouldn't have gatekeepers which can deny access to billions of customers for any and no reason at all. Apple and Google are WELL past due for regulation in this space. The fact that we cannot download and install software from the internet onto our phones JUST like we can do with our computers is a symbol of our inept and ineffective politicians.

   And before someone says "well akshully you can technically do it on Android," Google has been working tirelessly to make it as onerous as possible for both developers and customers. For example, users need to separately authorise each app (browser, files manager, alternative store, etc) to install an APK from outside the Play Store. Google also does background scans using "Play Protect" which will periodically delete apps Google doesn't approve of. This happened to me with SmartTubeNext. I have a dozen other ways Google ensures users are discouraged from stepping outside the Play Store.

   1. ivl · 1789564238 · focus · HN ↗

      Your complaint about Android .apk install is... similar to unsigned software installs on Windows in some cases (not a great argument, I know, but the same as the vast majority of users would be used to).

      As for SmartTube, their keys were compromised. Inconvenient, but it wasn't about hostility to self-installed applications.

      1. skobes · 1789564638 · focus · HN ↗

         The main difference is that signing a Windows binary doesn't require any third party review of the app content.

         1. lern_too_spel · 1789566688 · focus · HN ↗

            Signing an APK also doesn't require third party review of the app content.

            1. skobes · 1789567738 · focus · HN ↗

               But the context of this discussion is the difficulty of installing an APK from outside the Play Store.

               1. lern_too_spel · 1789572270 · focus · HN ↗

                  This is the first time I've seen a complaint about giving permission to an app to install another app. The SmartTubeNext issue was due to the developer's keys being stolen. If you want to keep an app signed with stolen keys, you can disable Play Protect. If Play Protect uninstalled apps that Google disliked instead of apps with known vulnerabilities, people would mass disable Play Protect, which would defeat its purpose.

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