Discussion
Keep Android Open
https://keepandroidopen.org/
This is important. We already have a basic duopoly in mobile operating systems, now Google is trying to lock down their platform even more. Nobody benefits from this other than Google's shareholders.
Whether you are a device owner, a developer, or a public institution, this affects you and should matter to you.
Everyone can meaningfully help to push back.
:boost_requested:
@rysiek good luck. Never trust google
@crankylinuxuser we had other chances, and we will have more.
There was Maemo on N900 and N9, there was (and still is I think) SailfishOS, Librem does its thing. There are Android derivatives like GrapheneOS.
@rysiek i wonder if this will get much traction as most in US are already on iPhones and very much used to closed system to the point of loving that aspect as a big "security" feature. There might be bit more kicking and screaming when windows will eventually gets locked down the same way but then unlikely to have anything from a corporation that is not enshitified to max.
@rysiek Contacted the UK's CMA via their online form. Thank you for sharing this
@chriswood thank you for acting upon it!
@rysiek #FuckGoogle
Hope the #LibrePhone project advances so there can finally be an alternative to the blobware bullshit that Android has become.
@midijunkie64: I am sorry to say this but this will not happen during our lifetimes. FSF from my standpoint proved themselves to be extremely unreliable when it comes to (not) fulfilling their promises, and the foundation's programme it was founded for.
For awhile now i've been wanting to switch my phone OS to Linux, like Sailfish, but i wouldn't even know how to do so
my goals are #Resist #BreakTheOligarchy & become 💯 #magafree to create #MyBlueWorld , so i'm working my way thru as i learn
i'd love to see more migration from #Windows & #Apple to #Linux
no one should be using #MSOffice anymore w/ #LibreOffice
hopefully we move from #youtube to #peertube soon
i really hope to see more activity on #Mastodon & the #Fediverse
The fundamental problem has been with us for years: antitrust enforcement in the USA is practically nil.
@tuban_muzuru the link I shared as a lot of actionable items for anyone to help pushing back against Google here. You are of course welcome to not do any of these and just complain how bad US is on antitrust enforcement. 🙂
The fact remains, Google has been declared a monopoly in court. A generous dose of enforcement is in order, especially in the Android space.
🙂
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/department-justice-prevails-landmark-antitrust-case-against-google
@tuban_muzuru absolutely. This thread however is not about lack of enforcement in the US, but about stuff people can do right now to push back against Google closing Android further.
Like, you know, actionable things. That people can do. While we wait for antitrust enforcement in the US. Which would be nice, but doesn't seem like it's coming.
The very first action item on this list - you'll forgive me if I quote it directly:
"Consumers: Contact national regulators
Regulators worldwide are genuinely concerned about monopolies and the centralization of power in the tech sector, and want to hear directly from individuals who are affected and concerned. When contacting regulators directly, you should be polite and specific about the harm you believe these policies will cause, both to consumers and to competition."
@tuban_muzuru yes. Contacting local regulators might actually make enforcement happen. Yes, even in the US.
Honest question: what exactly are you trying to achieve here? Convince me and anyone else reading this thread that nothing can be done because US antitrust enforcement is lacking? What's your endgame here?
@rysiek I'm not even sure it would benefit their shareholders.
@rysiek there is other option: any mobile linux. I am with 100% from the bottom of my heart but maybe it is a time to divorce the Goog? The only thing against would be the banking mobile app if one must use it.
@danielbarucha you are talking to a person who has not used a Googled phone as his daily driver ever in his life.
And that person will tell you that yes, whoever can should move off of Google-based and Google-supported platforms, but it is hard and not available to everyone.
And if Google closes Android further, it will become *harder* for people to move away.
@rysiek thanks, I've got it now after reading more [keepandroidopen.org] . The Unity 3D made the same mistake, while much smaller corporation - the same pattern and the same final outcome - developers boycott. Anyway it is a bit funny to advocate for while not using it, classic Cobbler's kids pattern? 😊 /with grain of salt/
@rysiek Most Android users hardly know what open source software is about. They just don't care that much. This kind of ignorance gives Google a free hand. It's also worth noting that Linux itself and some Linux-related applications are becoming increasingly dependent on contributions from big tech companies. Who knows for sure how free and open the things will remain in a decade or two?
@gen2punk and your point is?..
@rysiek There is no universal solution that would suit everyone. Of course we should be supporting free software in every way possible. Contributions, donations, petitions... Any help is never too much. But there's another problem. It's important to maintain some kind of unity in the world of open source as well. I find it quite disturbing to see its people, be it some developers or ordinary users, waging ideological wars against each other.
@rysiek I mean, there have been quite a few similar incidents over the past few years and even months. Might be a controversial statement here, I know, but it's kinda weird when somebody trying to make decisions in their own way (yes, I'm about the Framework situation at the moment) ends up being labeled like a Nazi after all. It's unlikely that you'll be able to convince others that they are wrong if you deliberately treat them as your enemies.
@rysiek IMO, this is one of the reasons why FOSS ain't gonna win anytime soon. The lack of critical thinking within the open source communities could lead to some sort of corporate dictatorship one day, I mean.
@rysiek And not even google shareholders... How does it increase share price by preventing a very very small percentage of users from installing off-store apps that aren't even profit generating 99% of the time?
@rysiek may be it's not bad, as people will focus more on making Linux for mobile more polished in the meantime? And we'll then no longer need android!
Reminder of which petrostate despot is a Google shareholder... #PrinceBonesaw .
https://www.cnbc.com/2018/04/07/heres-a-look-at-who.html
The fossil fuel industry wants control of tech, not for a post-oil future, but for a prolonged fossil fuel funded fascist movement.
MBS's intentions aren't benign.
https://www.businessinsider.com/absher-google-refuses-to-remove-saudi-govt-app-that-tracks-women-2019-3
@rysiek I don't know what it's gonna take for manufacturers to start making true non-Google Linux phones more widely available, but we could really use it right about now.
@mebbie @rysiek The phones already exist; now it's up to users to adopt them and, if necessary, improve them to match their needs.
I don't see Google closing Android down as a threat to me. If anything, it may make more people actually interested in the alternatives. What is an actual threat to me are institutions and companies assuming that I'm running either Android or iOS. As things are right now, I can manage to live without them just fine, but things keep moving in the wrong direction.
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