Overview

• In a new blog post, Google said every Android app will be bound to a verified developer identity to curb impersonation and malware.
• The company reiterated that sideloading remains supported on Android and is “not going away,” addressing industry concerns.
• Google stated that verified developers can distribute apps through any channel, including direct downloads and third‑party stores.
• A free hobbyist account will allow limited distribution without a government ID by using user‑shared device identifiers managed through a developer console.
• F‑Droid warned the policy centralizes control over app identities, saying it cannot assume identities for contributors and that some community apps could disappear if developers do not complete verification.