Per the article, alternative stores like F-Droid are not impacted. So no, Google's permission is not required. No frogs are being boiled, that's FUD. The actual

Per the article, alternative stores like F-Droid are not impacted. So no, Google's permission is not required. No frogs are being boiled, that's FUD. The actual specifics of the change seem about as carefully & considerately done as possible for what is a dangerous & nuanced situation.