this post was submitted on 28 Aug 2025
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The infuriating part of the Google enshittification process is that there is absolutely nothing the user can do about it.
Literally the only thing that motivates Google is profit. Controlling side-loaded apps will almost certainly boost their profits by a infinitesimal fraction of a percent, therefore it will be done. Even if consumer uproar causes Google to back down in the short term, they'll simply implement this a few months later. Late-stage Capitalism sucks.
You can stop using all Google products. Now I understand their market share on the web means they’re going to continue to shape the web.
But make no mistake. There is something, however small, that you can do. De-Google.
My public school -- that my children are basically required by law to attend, remember -- is badgering me to sign a consent form so they can have Chromebooks.
This fight is a lot fucking larger than mere individual boycotts!
And my kids school requires every parent to have a Google account to track progress and share information.
What happens if you refuse?
They kill you!
They probably would have to find accommodation for you, although I’m sure it’d be very inconvenient. But still technically there.
As to if you refuse to have your child be issued a Chromebook and Google account, probably not much you can do, as they are providing everything.
My personal answer to this question is the same as if it were an employer issued mandatory Chromebook; me the employee (or my child the student) is a different entity than me the individual. Me the individual refuses to have anything to do with Google, and that’s enough of a fight for me.
Around here if you can't refuse. My coworker is currently fighting that battle. His basically being threatened by the state that he either complies, home schools and compiles with those requirements which still has google requirements. Or he has to deal with the legal penalties of not sending his kid to school.
The accomodations is basically pay out of pocket for a private school. Because there is no accmodation for "free" services. Even the "poor" can do it so it's a non optional expectation.
Mine too, so I do agree with you the issue is larger.
But I believe it can start with individual boycotts.
I will help hand hold anyone who wants to build servers or services (to the best of my ability) to replace Google services with their own.
https://lemmy.world/c/selfhosted
There are a lot of alternatives out there. What service or services are you stuck on?
For me, MitID in Denmark. 100% required for society and life here, requires Google Play Services now :(
I tried e/os on my Fairphone for a bit. I think I could make it all work okay enough besides that. I should write people at the government or something I guess?
Don't use the app then? I have a key thing which works quite well. https://www.mitid.dk/en-gb/get-started-with-mitid/how-to-use-mitid/mitid-code-display/
TIL this exists. Super cool.
Hvad koster det?
Jeg tror det er gratis
Edit:
Jeg var lige inde og kigge på MitID hjemmesiden. De skriver selv at der ikke var noget problem uden play integrity. Men at de implementerede det alligevel:
https://www.mitid.dk/en-gb/about-mitid/news/mitid-gets-an-extra-anti-fraud-mechanism/
Yes! Being active politically is always important.
Be civil and polite at first, you want these people on your side after all. But don't be afraid to hold back if they respond with bullshit either. They are your representative, make them represent you and hold them to account if required.
Encouraging friends and family to write is usually a good idea too.
Not being politically engaged, I feel, is one of the main reasons for the downfall of democracy throughout the globe. Too many people think ticking a box every 4-5 years is all they need to do.
Also, only officially browser for MitID is fucking Chrome. Always works with Firefox or libreWolf, though. However, I have contacted MitID two times about issues. They are always referring that I should look at the help page supported OS/browser blah blah. They don't care about the part of the population that doesn't use Chrome. Ironic that the same government now screams and shouts about how we have become too reliant on US big tech... Idiotic tech noob politicians.
The complaint is side loading is being restricted and the only long term alternative Apple. Google already began the process of shutting down Graphene by cutting drivers out of AOSP.
https://www.androidauthority.com/google-not-killing-aosp-3566882/
Hang on, as somebody who knows enough to be looking into switching to graphene, but not entirely enough to know what AOSP is, what exactly is happening?
Am I going to fuck myself over? If I do end up switching to a custom rom? Should I just wait on the Linux community to build something better?
All I want is a working device that isn't selling all my shit to Mark Zuckerberg
G is restricting the factory images/source (I believe) that graphene uses to build their system, so they are having to work backwards, take more time, etc. It's a shitty thing to do but afaik it's not a blocker. I'm typing this on a gos pixel 8 pro right now.
Linux phones are still in their infancy, and are pretty shit if you need anything more than the ability to call and text (sms) on specific carriers (limitations applies to the USA, AUS, and a couple more I believe). I have a pinephone 1st gen and it's... Cool for messing with, absolutely, but jesus christ it's painful to actually attempt to use. I bought that 3y ago and not much has changed, from videos I've seen (my pinephone screen is lifting and failing so...). From a developer - like, bringing Linux to the phone platform - sure, grab one. As a user, unless you understand that you very likely will not daily this device (or any similar device) because shit just doesn't work/isn't ready and are OK with that... No, don't. A few more years, maybe.
GrapheneOS is still moving ahead albeit slower, as you said. They are also working on a deal with a phone manufacturer to bring a more secure phone to market. I dunno whether it will just meet the same security levels of the Pixels and ship with stock Android, or if it will be a full GrapheneOS Phone. I'm hoping for the latter, but it will more likely be the former. Fingers crossed.
Yeah, I've heard rumors about that in the works but it'll take a while. I try not to get excited before any product is released, but it will be something I investigate if/when I can pick one up. It's been frustrating that other similar phones are EU-only, so I hope that won't be the case with their attempt.
If you get a device and install Graphine now, it should be fine. It’s your future device options that will probably not include an AOSP alternative os. Hopefully Linux will be an option then, but there might be a bit of a dark age in between.
That may be true for you, but other people face different realities. When Google implements the sideloading block it will eventually be pushed to everyone who doesn't use a custom ROM.
also not everyone is saavy enough to use obscure services too.
Honestly Googles products are terrible these days. I have been pretty lax about my privacy but after so much enshittification I switched my services to something that works and doesn't harvest my data for the privilege.
When they kill off Graphene/Custom ROMs I'll switch to a linux phone or brickphone.
De-googling will break banking apps, since most baking apps rely on Play Integrity checks and bootloader status.
Then don't use the apps? Do your banking through the browser.
if I don't use android or iOS, I can't use my banking apps, pay with my phone, access government services as they require an app to sign in, etc. it's just not doable anymore for me
The only people who can de google are basically single shut ins with a job that doesnt use anything google.
If you have kids or a company that uses google products. It's a bad fucking joke to talk like it's even a realistic option.
Google is basically shoved down your throat. In most cases by the law literally. Seriously FUCK how tied the public education system is to google now.
Uhh... how do we stop using Android? I mean, these recent attacks by Google seem like they're going to break GrapheneOS and friends, no?
What I wouldn't give for a very simple linux phone. Not android based. That I can call/message from.
Closest I came across that was neat: https://www.wiphone.io/