French MEP Catherine Griset (Patriots for Europe) has asked the European Commission whether Google's new verification policy for Android developers violates EU competition rules and could enable Member States to block legal apps. The written question, submitted on 15 April 2026, warns that the policy—requiring identity verification and a $25 fee for all developers, even those not using Google Play—threatens open-source software by subjugating it to Google's control.
Griset's question highlights that from September 2026, users can still install apps from unverified developers but must go through a cumbersome 'Advanced Flow' process involving manual activation of development options, a phone restart, a 24-hour safety period, and final PIN or biometric authentication. While acknowledging the policy boosts user protection against malware and fraud, Griset argues it strengthens Google's gatekeeper position on the mobile market and could allow Member States to block otherwise legal applications.
first, whether the Commission considers the policy compatible with competition rules given Google's dominant market position; second, whether the policy risks enabling Member States to block apps that are legal within the EU. The question does not propose concrete targets or deadlines but seeks clarification on the policy's alignment with EU law.
As a parliamentary question under Rule 144, the Commission is expected to respond within approximately six weeks. The answer will signal the Commission's stance on digital gatekeeper practices and the balance between security and open-source freedoms, potentially impacting app developers, users, and EU digital sovereignty. Stakeholders affected include Android app developers (especially open-source and small developers), EU consumers who rely on sideloading apps, Google as the platform gatekeeper, and EU regulatory bodies overseeing competition and digital markets.
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