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Google will verify the identities of all developers for Android, even those operating outside of Google Play Store.
The tech giant claims the move -- which has already proven very controversial with some Android users -- is an attempt to block dangerous malware under the guise of a seemingly harmless apps. In the past, the Google Play Store has fallen victim to bad actors behind these apps. In fact, hackers have been able to steal credit cards and passwords with apps that have been downloaded 60 million times by Android users.
But research shows that outside of the Play Store, it's even worse.
Sideloading, one of the key differentiators between Android and iOS from the beginning, allows Android phone and tablet owners to download and install software from outside of the Play Store. With its latest shake-up, Google will require developers offering apps available to sideload to verify their identities with its teams.
While Google says this plan is simply an extension of the safeguards already in place in the Play Store and is designed to protect you, swathes of Android smartphone owners seem to believe the company has underlying motives. As such, they're really not happy about the announcement.
One user wrote, "By making every app developer establish a relationship with a corporation you are destroying what we love - the freedom to interact with each other and with code without permission."