CyberMinion (@CyberMinion)

163 days remaining before Google locks down Android. Every app developer must reveal their identity to Google, sign a lengthy contact, and pay a fee, in order to have Android systems allow their app. Meanwhile, Google is almost completely blocking the installation of apps through any method other than the Google Play Store. So much for Android being an open ecosystem. If you are using Android, you don't have many options. You can try to disable auto-updates, in hopes they haven't already pre-loaded the restriction. But most phones don't let you disable updates. You could use something like NetGuard to try to block updates, but that may not work either. And disabling updates, even if possible, puts you at risk of cyberattack. At least you have a few more months to install apps from any source you want. Once installed, they probably won't disable the app. Or, you can take the more drastic approach of installing a custom Android OS, such as LineageOS or Graphine OS. Whatever you choose, just be aware, Google is taking away more of your rights. https://keepandroidopen.org/