#app-stores — Public Fediverse posts

Yonhap News Agency: Watchdog launches review on Google’s alleged fair trade violation. “Seoul’s antitrust watchdog said Wednesday it has launched an investigation into U.S.-based Google LLC, as well as its Singaporean and South Korean offices, over allegations of violations of the fair trade law involving game developers on its app marketplace.”

Yonhap News Agency: Watchdog launches review on Google’s alleged fair trade violation. “Seoul’s antitrust watchdog said Wednesday it has launched an investigation into U.S.-based Google LLC, as well as its Singaporean and South Korean offices, over allegations of violations of the fair trade law involving game developers on its app marketplace.”

9to5 Google: Google opens the Play Store to external billing in the US, UK, and Europe next week. “In a post on the Android Developers Blog, Google details changes being made to Play Store billing rules on Android, changes made in the aftermath of a years-long legal dispute with Epic Games that (mostly) wrapped up earlier this year.”

9to5 Google: Google opens the Play Store to external billing in the US, UK, and Europe next week. “In a post on the Android Developers Blog, Google details changes being made to Play Store billing rules on Android, changes made in the aftermath of a years-long legal dispute with Epic Games that (mostly) wrapped up earlier this year.”

Pluralistic: Jailbreaking isn't theft (25 Jun 2026)

https://web.brid.gy/r/https://pluralistic.net/2026/06/25/thieve-different/

Remember, kids: platform-specific AppStores are tools of monopoly which prevent free choice!

Instead of sending you to the official Google Play Store, these malicious sites push you to download the app directly, a process known as sideloading. After you install it, the fake app poses as Google Play Protect and quietly downloads and installs the malware that carries out the attack.

https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/mobile/2026/06/rokarolla-android-malware-can-take-over-your-phone-and-steal-banking-logins

"America's tech giants' #margins are now everyone else's #opportunity. The trillions that US tech companies extract could be someone else's billions – all they'd have to do is offer the #interoperable goods and services that disenshittify America's tech products. They could sell the tools that let anyone in the world use independent #appstores, or fix their cars and tractors, and put generic ink in their printers. A year ago, no country could afford to allow a company headquartered in its borders to get into this business, lest they be clobbered with tariffs. Today, any country that isn't thinking about this is a #sucker that will end up buying these tools from another country that gets there first."
@pluralistic
https://pluralistic.net/2026/05/05/three-is-a-magic-number/

"America's tech giants' #margins are now everyone else's #opportunity. The trillions that US tech companies extract could be someone else's billions – all they'd have to do is offer the #interoperable goods and services that disenshittify America's tech products. They could sell the tools that let anyone in the world use independent #appstores, or fix their cars and tractors, and put generic ink in their printers. A year ago, no country could afford to allow a company headquartered in its borders to get into this business, lest they be clobbered with tariffs. Today, any country that isn't thinking about this is a #sucker that will end up buying these tools from another country that gets there first."
@pluralistic
https://pluralistic.net/2026/05/05/three-is-a-magic-number/

wait wtf? Things escalated from protecting to kids to going after burner #phones with age verification. The last reliable form of #privacy internet users had was the isp. There really is no reason if we have websites age verification, #appstores age verification, and #os #verification .

They don't want anyone to be #anonymous #fcc

#ageverification #idverification

sources:

https://www.404media.co/fcc-wants-to-kill-burner-phones-by-forcing-telecoms-to-get-all-customers-ids/

alternative source: https://www.androidheadlines.com/2026/06/fcc-proposal-anonymous-burner-phones-identity-rules.html

wait wtf? Things escalated from protecting to kids to going after burner #phones with age verification. The last reliable form of #privacy internet users had was the isp. There really is no reason if we have websites age verification, #appstores age verification, and #os #verification .

They don't want anyone to be #anonymous #fcc

#ageverification #idverification

sources:

https://www.404media.co/fcc-wants-to-kill-burner-phones-by-forcing-telecoms-to-get-all-customers-ids/

alternative source: https://www.androidheadlines.com/2026/06/fcc-proposal-anonymous-burner-phones-identity-rules.html

AppleInsider: App Store overhaul gives developers new ways to sell subscriptions. “Apple is overhauling the App Store with new subscription tools, personalized recommendations, and marketing features that give developers more ways to attract customers and grow their businesses.”

Engadget: Apple begins requiring age verification for App Store use in Texas . “New Apple Accounts in Texas will be subject to SB 2420 and will need to verify their ages. A parent or guardian will need to provide consent when minors download apps or significant updates to apps and when they make in-app purchases. Developers will also need to support parents or guardians revoking that consent to […]

Engadget: Apple begins requiring age verification for App Store use in Texas . “New Apple Accounts in Texas will be subject to SB 2420 and will need to verify their ages. A parent or guardian will need to provide consent when minors download apps or significant updates to apps and when they make in-app purchases. Developers will also need to support parents or guardians revoking that consent to […]

The #internetchannel is also a #browser that doesn't have a browser history log from what I remember. But it does save cookies. (it better save cookies if i'm talking about possibly using mastodon web client on it) But I do know that it does save cookies.

I plan on buying #Nintendo #Wii at some point. To get a few games, and try out the new open source Wii homebrew appstore #libre shop appstore. which basically revised the older #homebrew browser appstores and modernized it.
if you're curious do Google or YouTube search for the #libre shop #appstores for the #Wii.

ABC4: Utah-led coalition finalizes $700 million settlement with Google; consumers to receive settlement funds. “A Utah-led coalition involving attorneys general for all U.S. states announced today that they have reached the final steps in a $700 million settlement with Google, with the majority of funds going to impacted consumers.”

ABC4: Utah-led coalition finalizes $700 million settlement with Google; consumers to receive settlement funds. “A Utah-led coalition involving attorneys general for all U.S. states announced today that they have reached the final steps in a $700 million settlement with Google, with the majority of funds going to impacted consumers.”

Engadget: Apple and Google are reportedly pointing users to ‘nudify’ apps. “Earlier this year it was revealed that Apple and Google were offering ‘nudify’ apps on their stores despite having clear policies barring such content. Nearly three months later, such apps are not only still available, but being actively promoted on the iOS App Store and Google Play, according to a new report from the […]

Engadget: Apple and Google are reportedly pointing users to ‘nudify’ apps. “Earlier this year it was revealed that Apple and Google were offering ‘nudify’ apps on their stores despite having clear policies barring such content. Nearly three months later, such apps are not only still available, but being actively promoted on the iOS App Store and Google Play, according to a new report from the […]

https://winbuzzer.com/2026/04/17/apple-google-steered-users-to-nudify-apps-report-xcxwbn/

Report: Apple and Google Steered Users to Nudify Apps

#AI #AppStores #Apple #Google #NudifyApps #AppleAppStore #GooglePlay #BigTech #AIImageGeneration #AIgeneratedContent #Deepfakes #AIEthics #OnlineSafety

https://winbuzzer.com/2026/04/17/apple-google-steered-users-to-nudify-apps-report-xcxwbn/

Report: Apple and Google Steered Users to Nudify Apps

#AI #AppStores #Apple #Google #NudifyApps #AppleAppStore #GooglePlay #BigTech #AIImageGeneration #AIgeneratedContent #Deepfakes #AIEthics #OnlineSafety

Ctrl-Alt-Speech: The Silence Of The LLMs

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.techdirt.com/2026/04/16/ctrl-alt-speech-the-silence-of-the-llms/

Ctrl-Alt-Speech: The Silence Of The LLMs

https://web.brid.gy/r/https://www.techdirt.com/2026/04/16/ctrl-alt-speech-the-silence-of-the-llms/

TechSpot: Google adds search to Play Store reviews to improve app discovery. “Most Android users rely on Play Store reviews to decide which apps to install. But sifting through hundreds – or even thousands – of reviews has rarely been convenient. Google is addressing that with a new search function that lets users find specific information within app reviews, a small but meaningful […]

TechSpot: Google adds search to Play Store reviews to improve app discovery. “Most Android users rely on Play Store reviews to decide which apps to install. But sifting through hundreds – or even thousands – of reviews has rarely been convenient. Google is addressing that with a new search function that lets users find specific information within app reviews, a small but meaningful […]

Engadget: Fortnite will return to Google’s Play Store globally on March 19. “The game will return to the Play Store globally on March 19, the same day that the next Fortnite season goes live. It previously dropped back onto the Play Store in the US in December.”

Engadget: Fortnite will return to Google’s Play Store globally on March 19. “The game will return to the Play Store globally on March 19, the same day that the next Fortnite season goes live. It previously dropped back onto the Play Store in the US in December.”

Ars Technica: Apple can delist apps “with or without cause,” judge says in loss for Musi app . “Musi, a free music-streaming app that had tens of millions of iPhone downloads and garnered plenty of controversy over its method of acquiring music, has lost an attempt to get back on Apple’s App Store. A federal judge dismissed Musi’s lawsuit against Apple with prejudice and sanctioned […]

Ars Technica: Apple can delist apps “with or without cause,” judge says in loss for Musi app . “Musi, a free music-streaming app that had tens of millions of iPhone downloads and garnered plenty of controversy over its method of acquiring music, has lost an attempt to get back on Apple’s App Store. A federal judge dismissed Musi’s lawsuit against Apple with prejudice and sanctioned […]

#FDroid says #Google’s #Android #developer verification plan is an ‘existential’ threat to alternative #appstores
F-Droid fights Google's Android #developerverification plan that could kill alternative app stores used by millions. Here's what developers need to know.
Even developers distributing Android #apps on the web for #sideloading will be required to register, pay Google a $25 fee, and provide a government ID.
https://thenewstack.io/f-droid-says-googles-android-developer-verification-plan-is-an-existential-threat-to-alternative-app-stores/

#FDroid says #Google’s #Android #developer verification plan is an ‘existential’ threat to alternative #appstores
F-Droid fights Google's Android #developerverification plan that could kill alternative app stores used by millions. Here's what developers need to know.
Even developers distributing Android #apps on the web for #sideloading will be required to register, pay Google a $25 fee, and provide a government ID.
https://thenewstack.io/f-droid-says-googles-android-developer-verification-plan-is-an-existential-threat-to-alternative-app-stores/

GrapheneOS & Co.: Mehr Datenschutz mit Google-freien Custom-ROMs | c’t uplink

Das eigene #Smartphone ist eine keine Petze mehr sein? Wie man den #Datenschutz von #Android verbessert, erklären wir in c’t uplink. Ein Weg ist alternativen Android-Varianten, „#CustomROMs“ wie #GrapheneOS, /e/OS, LineageOS oder Iodé zu installieren.

In der Folge geht es insbesondere um die Alltagstauglichkeit: Welche #Banking-Apps funktionieren? Wie steht es um mobiles Bezahlen per #NFC? Und wie gut sind die Kameras ohne Googles Foto-Algorithmen?

Für alle, die kein Custom-ROM installieren wollen, geben die c’t-Redakteure konkrete Tipps, wie man mit einfachen Einstellungen den Datenschutz am Standard-Android verbessert. Etwa welche alternativen #AppStores es gibt oder wie man mit der Funktion Private Space kritische Apps isoliert.
@fdroidorg

https://peertube.heise.de/videos/watch/c9476646-54ed-40bd-b1ed-76f63bf73a7b

@GrapheneOS
@iode
@e_mydata
@ct_Magazin

Good day all! Upcoming episode of Fireside Fedi!

The #livestream will be on: stream.firesidefedi.live

Special Guest: @[email protected] from @[email protected]

Building emulators and app stores for iPhone with shanegill.io

So don't miss it!

It will happen on 19 March 2026 at 15:00 US Eastern Time ( UTC-4 )

If by any ungodly chance you miss the show:

#PeerTube ( #VOD ): tubefree.org/@firesidefedi #firesidefedi #fediverse #fedi #interview #freesoftware #opensource #userfreedom #freedom #resistance #altStore #iOS #iPhone #appStores #phone #smartPhone

Good day all! Upcoming episode of Fireside Fedi!

The #livestream will be on: stream.firesidefedi.live

Special Guest: @[email protected] from @[email protected]

Building emulators and app stores for iPhone with shanegill.io

So don't miss it!

It will happen on 19 March 2026 at 15:00 US Eastern Time ( UTC-4 )

If by any ungodly chance you miss the show:

#PeerTube ( #VOD ): tubefree.org/@firesidefedi #firesidefedi #fediverse #fedi #interview #freesoftware #opensource #userfreedom #freedom #resistance #altStore #iOS #iPhone #appStores #phone #smartPhone

Well that round-up was HUGE! App stores, AI acquisitions and antitrust cases, oh my!

Google is making big worldwide changes to Google Play, Live Nation has settled with the US Department of Justice and AI companies are buying up other AI companies at gusto.

https://elliottbledsoe.wtf/wtf-now-25/
#AppStores #AI #GooglePlay #music

Well that round-up was HUGE! App stores, AI acquisitions and antitrust cases, oh my!

Google is making big worldwide changes to Google Play, Live Nation has settled with the US Department of Justice and AI companies are buying up other AI companies at gusto.

https://elliottbledsoe.wtf/wtf-now-25/
#AppStores #AI #GooglePlay #music

This week's WTF now?! round-up is the biggest yet. It covers the significant acqusitions of AI companies recently, the settlement offer in the US Live Nation antitrust case and the Australian Defence contract with Palantir.

Plus changes to Google Play store, music royalties, trade mark, video game pricing and more.

And it includes references to Katy Perry and Ben Affleck. Something for everyone!

#AI #antitrust #music #TradeMark #AppStores #KatyPerry #BenAffleck

https://elliottbledsoe.wtf/signup/

This week's WTF now?! round-up is the biggest yet. It covers the significant acqusitions of AI companies recently, the settlement offer in the US Live Nation antitrust case and the Australian Defence contract with Palantir.

Plus changes to Google Play store, music royalties, trade mark, video game pricing and more.

And it includes references to Katy Perry and Ben Affleck. Something for everyone!

#AI #antitrust #music #TradeMark #AppStores #KatyPerry #BenAffleck

https://elliottbledsoe.wtf/signup/

Mashable: Google drops 30 percent app store fee. What that means for you.. “…the tech giant has announced it’s cutting service fees to 20 percent and, in some cases, 15 percent. It also cut its subscription fee to 10 percent. Note that these savings are for developers and companies that make apps and not, necessarily, for the end user.”

Mashable: Google drops 30 percent app store fee. What that means for you.. “…the tech giant has announced it’s cutting service fees to 20 percent and, in some cases, 15 percent. It also cut its subscription fee to 10 percent. Note that these savings are for developers and companies that make apps and not, necessarily, for the end user.”

https://winbuzzer.com/2026/03/06/epic-tim-sweeney-barred-criticizing-google-2032-antitrust-settlement-xcxwbn/

Google Muzzles Epic’s Tim Sweeney Until 2032 in Play Store Antitrust Deal

#Google #EpicGames #Android #BigTech #TimSweeney #Antitrust #AppStores #GooglePlayStore #Gaming #GamingIndustry #Fortnite

https://winbuzzer.com/2026/03/06/epic-tim-sweeney-barred-criticizing-google-2032-antitrust-settlement-xcxwbn/

Google Muzzles Epic’s Tim Sweeney Until 2032 in Play Store Antitrust Deal

#Google #EpicGames #Android #BigTech #TimSweeney #Antitrust #AppStores #GooglePlayStore #Gaming #GamingIndustry #Fortnite

Lilbits: Epic Loves Google now, ZTE launches a 7.5 inch phone, and Chuwi’s shady laptop processor changeup

More than five years after launching an epic legal battle to challenge Google’s Play Store policies, Epic Games has reached a settlement with Google that will result in Google reducing fees and making it easier for developers to offer third-party app stores and third-party billing services for Android devices.

Shortly after I saw a Google blog post describing the changes, I also noticed that […]

Apple Blocks US Users From Downloading ByteDance’s Chinese Apps

https://web.brid.gy/r/https://www.wired.com/story/bytedance-apps-are-no-longer-available-in-us-app-stores/

Apple Blocks US Users From Downloading ByteDance’s Chinese Apps

https://web.brid.gy/r/https://www.wired.com/story/bytedance-apps-are-no-longer-available-in-us-app-stores/

MakeUseOf: Claude overtakes ChatGPT as top free app amid AI ethics backlash. “The AI chatbot Claude has leapfrogged OpenAI’s ChatGPT to become the most downloaded free app on Apple’s U.S. App Store. The climb comes amid growing public scrutiny of ChatGPT following OpenAI’s announcement that it would collaborate with the U.S. Department of Defense to deploy AI technology on classified networks.”

MakeUseOf: Claude overtakes ChatGPT as top free app amid AI ethics backlash. “The AI chatbot Claude has leapfrogged OpenAI’s ChatGPT to become the most downloaded free app on Apple’s U.S. App Store. The climb comes amid growing public scrutiny of ChatGPT following OpenAI’s announcement that it would collaborate with the U.S. Department of Defense to deploy AI technology on classified networks.”

CNBC: Anthropic’s Claude hits No. 1 on Apple’s top free apps list after Pentagon rejection. “Anthropic’s Claude artificial intelligence assistant app jumped to the No. 1 slot on Apple’s chart of top U.S. free apps late on Saturday, a day after the Trump administration sought to block government agencies’ adoption of the startup’s technology.”

CNBC: Anthropic’s Claude hits No. 1 on Apple’s top free apps list after Pentagon rejection. “Anthropic’s Claude artificial intelligence assistant app jumped to the No. 1 slot on Apple’s chart of top U.S. free apps late on Saturday, a day after the Trump administration sought to block government agencies’ adoption of the startup’s technology.”

TechCrunch: Apple rolls out age-verification tools worldwide to comply with growing web of child safety laws. “Apple is launching new tools to comply with the growing number of age-verification laws both in the U.S. and abroad. As part of the changes, Apple will block the downloads of apps rated 18+ in Brazil, Australia, and Singapore, while also rolling out other features to comply with laws […]

TechCrunch: Apple rolls out age-verification tools worldwide to comply with growing web of child safety laws. “Apple is launching new tools to comply with the growing number of age-verification laws both in the U.S. and abroad. As part of the changes, Apple will block the downloads of apps rated 18+ in Brazil, Australia, and Singapore, while also rolling out other features to comply with laws […]

https://winbuzzer.com/2026/02/25/eff-f-droid-open-letter-google-mandatory-android-developer-registration-xcxwbn/

Google's Android Dev Registration Faces Civil Society Revolt

#Google #Android #GooglePlay #BigTech #CyberSecurity #FreeSpeech #DigitalSovereignty #Developers #KeepAndroidOpen #Sideloading #AppStores

https://winbuzzer.com/2026/02/25/eff-f-droid-open-letter-google-mandatory-android-developer-registration-xcxwbn/

Google's Android Dev Registration Faces Civil Society Revolt

#Google #Android #GooglePlay #BigTech #CyberSecurity #FreeSpeech #DigitalSovereignty #Developers #KeepAndroidOpen #Sideloading #AppStores

Mashable: Apple, Google agree to ‘improve fairness’ on app stores. “According to the CMA [Competition and Markets Authority], Apple and Google have agreed to make sure their app review processes for Apple’s App Store and the Google Play store do not discriminate against mobile applications that compete with their own apps.”

Mashable: Apple, Google agree to ‘improve fairness’ on app stores. “According to the CMA [Competition and Markets Authority], Apple and Google have agreed to make sure their app review processes for Apple’s App Store and the Google Play store do not discriminate against mobile applications that compete with their own apps.”

RedDot und ICEblock verschwunden
Apple und Google zensieren Apps
Protestbrief schreiben!
Mehr dazu bei https://actionnetwork.org/letters/tell-big-tech-end-ice-contracts/
a-fsa.de/d/3MV
Link zu dieser Seite: https://www.a-fsa.de/de/articles/9433-20260208-reddot-und-iceblock-verschwunden.html
Link im Tor-Netzwerk: http://a6pdp5vmmw4zm5tifrc3qo2pyz7mvnk4zzimpesnckvzinubzmioddad.onion/de/articles/9433-20260208-reddot-und-iceblock-verschwunden.html
Tags: #USA #Zensur #Transparenz #Informationsfreiheit #Anonymisierung #Apple #Google #WarnApps #ICE #Polizeigewalt #Trump #WinWithoutWar #PAC #DrohnenApp #Diskriminierung #Ungleichbehandlung #AppStores #OpenSource #Alternativen

RedDot und ICEblock verschwunden
Apple und Google zensieren Apps
Protestbrief schreiben!
Mehr dazu bei https://actionnetwork.org/letters/tell-big-tech-end-ice-contracts/
a-fsa.de/d/3MV
Link zu dieser Seite: https://www.a-fsa.de/de/articles/9433-20260208-reddot-und-iceblock-verschwunden.html
Link im Tor-Netzwerk: http://a6pdp5vmmw4zm5tifrc3qo2pyz7mvnk4zzimpesnckvzinubzmioddad.onion/de/articles/9433-20260208-reddot-und-iceblock-verschwunden.html
Tags: #USA #Zensur #Transparenz #Informationsfreiheit #Anonymisierung #Apple #Google #WarnApps #ICE #Polizeigewalt #Trump #WinWithoutWar #PAC #DrohnenApp #Diskriminierung #Ungleichbehandlung #AppStores #OpenSource #Alternativen

https://winbuzzer.com/2026/01/23/apple-blames-eu-setapp-store-shutdown-closure-xcxwbn/

Apple Blames EU for Setapp Store Shutdown After Closure

#Apple #EU #BigTech #Regulation #DMA #AppStores #Competition #Antitrust #EURegulations #Business #Technology #DSA #Gaming #OperatingSystems

https://winbuzzer.com/2026/01/23/google-epic-strike-secret-800m-deal-amid-antitrust-case-xcxwbn/

Google and Epic Strike Secret $800M Deal Amid Antitrust Case

#Google #Android #EpicGames #Fortnite #Antitrust #Legal #AppStores #BigTech #Gaming #Alphabet