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The Google Play app review process now regularly takes longer than a week

374 points · 352 comments · inputmice

  1. Gareth321 · · 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. setgree · · focus · HN ↗
      And what should we do about apps' getting hacked, sending out malicious updates that get auto-updated and thereby infecting tens of millions or billions of phones simultaneously?

      I'm not saying we have the perfect system but anything that slants the system towards "easier downloads" or "less gatekeeping" brings large, obvious risks. I don't see how regulation would address them.

      1. duskdozer · · focus · HN ↗
        That's a tangential issue.

        1. don't force auto-updates

        2. still review apps uploaded to Google Play, but don't force users to use Google Play

        If the concern is what if users use an alternate source for apps and those have viruses, then.... okay. If the user wants to stay with strictly Google-vetted apps, they can. If desired, you could have an option on setup that users could choose to select that would put the device in a restricted mode that can only use apps installed from Google Play.

        But the motivation here isn't just security, it's control. Google doesn't want anyone to have an Android device that is independent of Google services.

        1. MRtecno98 · · focus · HN ↗
          > If the concern is what if users use an alternate source for apps and those have viruses, then.... okay. If the user wants to stay with strictly Google-vetted apps, they can. If desired, you could have an option on setup that users could choose to select that would put the device in a restricted mode that can only use apps installed from Google Play.

          So this doesn't solve the issue pointed in the OP.

          > don't force auto-updates

          I'm sure everyone would love non-technical people to stay behind dozens of security patches for apps they may use everyday because they forgot to press update.

          1. 8note · · focus · HN ↗
            > I'm sure everyone would love non-technical people to stay behind dozens of security patches for apps they may use everyday because they forgot to press update.

            this is identifying the tension yeah, but if a review process regularly takes weeks or months, then the security patches are still missing

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