"Starting in 2027, a silent update, nonconsensually pushed by Google, will block every Android app whose developer hasn't registered with Google, signed their contract, paid up, and handed over government ID."
Will not apply if updates are blocked
Good to have old phones, i.e., not primary phone, where user can block updates
Some users may want a portable, pocket-sized computer that the user can reasonably control (old phone) in addition to one controlled by Google or Apple (primary phone)
Maybe think of it like an "A/B test". Primary phone with the update and old phone without the update
For some users, the "threat model" may be Google and the long list of its government, corporate and other partners
Maybe some users just want relief from data collection, surveillance and ads
Not every user is the same
Some (not all) users may be willing to sacrifice some alleged "security" provided by an ad services company (wtf) in exchange for more _user control_
Will not apply if updates are blocked
Good to have old phones, i.e., not primary phone, where user can block updates
Some users may want a portable, pocket-sized computer that the user can reasonably control (old phone) in addition to one controlled by Google or Apple (primary phone)
Maybe think of it like an "A/B test". Primary phone with the update and old phone without the update
For some users, the "threat model" may be Google and the long list of its government, corporate and other partners
Maybe some users just want relief from data collection, surveillance and ads
Not every user is the same
Some (not all) users may be willing to sacrifice some alleged "security" provided by an ad services company (wtf) in exchange for more _user control_