This is straight gaslighting. If side loading requires a cert from Google to auth the app install, then yes it does limit choice of approved apps to Google, not you.
It also means Google is going to require your government ID to develop any app, just so you can your cert.
There's a reason they dropped their moto, "Don't be Evil"
Sideloading is fundamental to Android, and it's not going anywhere. As we said in our blog, our new developer identity requirements are designed to protect users and developers from bad actors, not to limit choice. We want to make sure that if you download an app from a developer, regardless of where you get it, it's actually from them. That's it. goo.gle/3GUXYzT
Sep 7, 2025 · 3:38 PM UTC