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Can an non-profit LLC verify itself and submit apps on behalf or anonymous developers after vetting their code? If so, that would probably a nice middle-ground.
by notepad0x90 1y ago
Can an non-profit LLC verify itself and submit apps on behalf or anonymous developers after vetting their code? If so, that would probably a nice middle-ground.
The reaction to this change has truly changed my opinion that developer's opinions on a lot of subjects affecting the public's safety and security shouldn't be valued much (and yes, I realize I am on HN). If this is a bridge too far, then why should anyone listen to devs about "we can't backdoor cryptography" and things like chat control and more? You can't make every hill the hill you die on. I wouldn't even be against requiring a professional certification organization for developers before they're allowed to publish software to the masses. I would very much find it unpleasant, but we live in a society. You need a license to drive, to be a doctor, engineer and just about any profession where people's safety and well being is in jeopardy. Even real estate agents are licensed! and people all up in arms about a simple id verification.
This is just to address malicious code. How does the public know your code isn't full of vulnerabilities, that you're not selling their data to the highest bidder? How do they know that you have a good understanding of secure coding practices and knowledge of privacy laws? Let's talk about that instead, if you publish software for a private group of people, there should be no restrictions. If you're publishing it on a platform that would expose your software to billions of people, get a license after id verification and passing a globally standardized exam (multiple choice and a practical coding exam!).
See, the big disconnect is that most developers see software as something similar to writing a book or selling a home-made item on etsy or ebay. But in reality, it's more like manufacturing a car or a gun, or opening a bank (if your app takes payments), or even opening a restaurant or a food truck. all these things require licensing. The malware and privacy loss people suffer is akin too food poisoning, car accidents,etc.. but since it all happens virtually and there is typically no physical harm, developers are dismissive of it. This isn't the 90's anymore, people's lives and livelihoods are all online, all the security measures you can take, using signal for chat, passkeys and password managers for creds,vpns,etc.. and you're still one legit looking app install away, one convincing phish away from your phone being compromised along with all your accounts, finances , job and your entire life as you recognize it from being harmed or destroyed.
I urge you all to temper passions with reason and practicality.
- takluyver 1y agoThe umbrella organisation signing apps is not impossible, as far as I know. But it would need to be pretty cautious, because if Google revokes its registration, that could block all the apps it has signed at once. It's hard to see how you could get the necessary level of careful code review with just volunteer effort. But I suspect that most developers who don't want to register with Google are also unlikely to pay money to a third party to work around this.
- notepad0x90 1y agoWith enough developers, revoking that cert would affect too many users, so Google would be forced to be careful. It will sort of be like devs unionizing. As far as review goes, not having the money or time to review code sounds exactly like the problem Google is trying to eradicate, because right now when your app causes problems you can just create a different account and start over without risking your reputation.
- saubeidl 1y ago> This is just to address malicious code Where "malicious" is defined as anything that Google or the American Empire doesn't agree with.
- notepad0x90 1y agoMalicious is to cause harm and if it refuses your app because of that reason you have legal recourse.
- saubeidl 1y agoLegal recourse in the American empire that just made Google block an app to warn of its armed goons approaching? Color me skeptical.
- notepad0x90 1y agoLibel for calling it malicious and a tort case for malicious interference in trace/commerce. Although, fighting google's lawyers is another matter. If they blocked it without reason, it would be difficult, but if they said it was malicious and that was a lie, regardless of ToS or contracts you have a libel case as the very least. IANAL.