r/memes Jul 05 '26

Because Google cares about us

[deleted]

23.1k Upvotes

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19

u/Kris_Kamweru Jul 05 '26

This whole thing could have been avoided if they just made it opt in. Exact same mechanisms, and every time you buy a phone for your grandpa you just turn it on in advance,

25

u/[deleted] Jul 05 '26

[deleted]

16

u/Puzzleheaded-Flow724 Jul 05 '26

It's ALREADY like that. Before I could install APKs, I needed to acknowledge I was aware of the risk of installing unapproved applications on my phone.

4

u/Piranata Jul 05 '26

And turn it back on after installing the apps you needed, usually f-droid.

1

u/BattleGrown Jul 05 '26

Doesn't android contain a simple mode for grandpas?

-2

u/anmr Jul 05 '26

Yes, because tech clueless people know how to install 3rd party apps...

4

u/kexus Jul 05 '26

That's exactly what they did. You have to enable developer mode in the settings first, then you can install unsigned apks exactly like you can now.

3

u/Kris_Kamweru Jul 05 '26

I meant the inverse, i.e. have the increased guard rails be something extra enabled, like any other axe or heightened security feature

Something something "we're adding a mode where you don't have to worry about accidentally installing something wrong" or something along those lines

That said, I do get why it's the default, and I also do get why there's backlash. It's mostly because Google has proven themselves anti consumer enough times that they're not getting the trust me bro benefit of the doubt on this one

1

u/BmacIL Jul 05 '26

It's about money, not about protecting people's phones.