In August 2025, Google announced that starting September 2026, app developers will need to register with the company to create apps for Android. This registration process requires a fee, acceptance of Google's terms, proof of identity, submission of a private signing key, and a list of app identifiers. This move effectively undermines the open nature of the Android platform, which has long been marketed as a space where users can run any software they choose. The implications for both consumers and developers are significant. Consumers will lose the ability to freely install apps without Google's approval, while developers will be unable to share apps directly with their communities without first obtaining Google’s consent. The article highlights concerns about digital sovereignty. Governments are handing over control of critical software to a corporation with a history of bowing to authoritarian requests for app removals. This shift could jeopardize the functioning of businesses and public services reliant on apps that may not meet Google's criteria. To combat this, the article suggests various actions for consumers, developers, and the general public. Consumers are encouraged to contact regulators worldwide to express their concerns, particularly regarding the risks of monopolistic practices. Developers are advised to resist signing up for Google's new program and to mobilize their peers against it. The article also urges everyone to support alternative app marketplaces and to amplify their voices on social media against Google's policies.