F-Droid urges regulators to block Google's sideloading crackdown
F-Droid, a prominent open-source Android app repository, has called on global regulators to intervene against Google's tightening restrictions on sideloading apps. The organization argues that these measures undermine user choice and competition in the mobile ecosystem. This plea comes amid ongoing debates over app distribution policies.
F-Droid, known for providing free and open-source software applications for Android devices, issued a statement in September 2025 criticizing Google's recent policies aimed at curbing sideloading. Sideloading refers to the practice of installing apps from sources outside the official Google Play Store, a method that allows users greater flexibility but raises security concerns for the tech giant.
In a blog post titled 'Stop Google's Crackdown on Sideloading,' F-Droid's team highlighted how Google's updates, particularly in Android 15, introduce warnings and barriers to third-party app installations. 'Google's aggressive push to monopolize app distribution is a threat to innovation and privacy,' stated F-Droid spokesperson B. Traven. The post details specific changes, such as mandatory verifications and reduced ease of access to alternative stores, which F-Droid claims violate principles of an open platform.
The context stems from broader regulatory pressures on Google. The European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA) has compelled the company to allow sideloading and alternative app stores since 2024, yet F-Droid alleges Google is implementing 'backdoor restrictions' to maintain control. In the US, similar scrutiny from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has not yet prompted action, but F-Droid's call references antitrust lawsuits accusing Google of anti-competitive behavior.
F-Droid, founded in 2009 as a non-profit alternative to proprietary app stores, relies heavily on sideloading for distribution. Its repository hosts over 3,000 apps, emphasizing security scans and user control. The organization urges bodies like the European Commission and FTC to enforce existing laws more stringently, warning that unchecked policies could stifle open-source development.
Google has defended its measures as essential for protecting users from malware, with a spokesperson noting in prior statements that 'sideloading accounts for a significant portion of harmful app installations.' However, F-Droid counters that Google's own Play Store has faced criticism for privacy issues and data collection. This tension underscores the ongoing battle between security and openness in mobile computing, with implications for developers and users worldwide.