On: Google's requirement for developers to be verified threatens app store F-Droid

[bitpush]

> You are mixing up legitimate government regulations with a corporation abusing it's power to fuck over consumers.

Anytime similar argument is brought up for Apple, people always say "Their platform, their rules". Isnt that the case here?

[GeekyBear → bitpush]

> Anytime similar argument is brought up for Apple, people always say "Their platform, their rules". Isnt that the case here?

Apple told users in advance that they would be buying into a walled garden.

Google, on the other hand, fraudulently marketed Android as open.

Fraud is illegal. Walled gardens are not.

[morshu9001 → bitpush]

I think both Apple and Google should be able to set their own rules if they're just acting in self-interest. Some think they should be regulated due to being a duopoly, I disagree, but at the same time it's a reasonable argument to make.

Government crackdown is the scarier thing. It's suspicious seeing both "private" companies locking things down, while at the same time the US govt is increasingly making special threats and deals with big corps, and also Europe is trying to clamp down on encrypted messaging. So yeah the outcry over Android seems justified. Wouldn't be surprised if WEI comes back too.

[surgical_fire → bitpush]

I cannot speak for other people. You can look up my comment history on similar discussions if you so desire.

My position when Apple was throwing a hissy fit because of EU regulations is that Apple should go fuck itself.

Now, likewise, I hope the EU assrapes Google with fines if they move on with this bullshit.

[bitpush → surgical_fire]

> EU assrapes Google with fines

Why? On what grounds? It hurts upsets a few people?

[surgical_fire → bitpush]

On the grounds that they are abusing their market dominance to harm consumers.

I, and many others, rely on being able to slideload apps on Androids.

[bitpush → surgical_fire]

> market dominance to harm consumers.

If Google decides to abandon Android tomorrow, or go all in on Windows Mobile OS, is that an "abuse of market dominance"? In reality, private companies are free to make decisions that make sense to them.

There's no law that says things should be "free", or everyone should be "happy" with a companies decision.

[surgical_fire → bitpush]

> If Google decides to abandon Android tomorrow, or go all in on Windows Mobile OS, is that an "abuse of market dominance"?

Yes.

> In reality, private companies are free to make decisions that make sense to them.

And that's why governments should regulate them very strictly. I fully expect corporations to fuck over consumers if it makes them a couple of bucks.

> There's no law that says things should be "free", or everyone should be "happy" with a companies decision.

Most countries have regulations protecting consumers.