This means, to approve an app verification, it should be downloaded by Google from a licensed Google Play Store, and should be installed on a device that passes some security checks. Apps, which are compiled by seedloid, sources, or installed from alternative app stores, will not be eligible.
So far, the system is still being developed. But if the existing framework is adopted without major changes, the final version will block any Android app that does not meet Google’s play licensing requirements in the EU verification ecosystem. This will effectively access many third -party or customs built -in apps, even if these apps do not cause any real harm to consumers.
This can cause major concerns for the open Android community, especially for those who use customs ROM or rely on apps outside the Play Store. Although Google’s Play Integrity API is designed to confirm the authenticity of the app and protect it from tampering or malware, it also connects users to Google’s ecosystem. The European Union appears to be willing to accept a trade in exchange for a system that they believe that minors will have better protection online.
At the same time, officials have promised that the system will be friendly. Once the user completes the one -time verification process, the app will not collect or monitor any additional use data. The purpose of the app is just to confirm that users are old enough to access some platforms and services, and then withdraw from the way.
We have seen similar legislation outside the European Union. In the United States, a two -way effort is pushing app stores like Google Play and Apple App Store to require age verification before downloading social media apps. Although the methods are different, the purpose is the same: creating more safety measures for underage consumers in the digital world.
Finally, from the EU’s point of view, there are difficult questions about the role of consumer freedom, digital identity, and the role of the dominant tech platform in the implementation of policy. If Google’s tools EU becomes an essential layer in extensive verification, it can further limit the popular openness of the Android platform.
It is unclear when the final version of the European Union’s age is released. But in Europe, Android users, especially those who rely on seeding, want to start preparing for some restrictions. For those who are not affected, such as living in the United States, this may be a preview of things to come.
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