KeepAndroidOpen

[TheTearMiser]

Hey all,

If you haven't seen this yet, Google is planning to require mandatory developer
identity verification for all Android apps, including apps distributed outside
the Play Store, taking effect September 2026. This affects every independent
and open source Android developer directly.

The community has been fighting back at keepandroidopen.org. If you haven't
already:

• Read the full breakdown of what this means for your project at keepandroidopen.org
• Sign the open letter opposing the mandate at keepandroidopen.org/open-letter
• Consider adding the countdown banner to your project's website or README
  — instructions at keepandroidopen.org/banner

This is moving fast and September is closer than it looks. The more projects
that speak up the harder it is for Google to ignore.

[Tlaster]

Flare is a FOSS project, and we distribute it not only on Google Play, but also through F-Droid. So any policy changes that affect app distribution outside of Google Play are particularly relevant to this project too.

[TheTearMiser]

The above comment is correct. Also, please note that you (the developers) will have to provide a fee and Government Issued ID to Google in order to comply with their new rules and maintain your presence on Google Play Store.