Technology

No way! I thought only Apple did shit like that. Android is supposed to be the open one... with memory card slots... and headphone jacks... and a back button... and... shit. I guess it's just a different flavour of iOS that sells your personal data off the back porch.

I want to put an "/s" but it doesn't seem appropriate. As someone who uses both and loves both, and shits on both because they both have a lot of problems... I mainly use iOS because I trust it more. Samsung came right out and said "we're gonna start selling your health data unless you opt out, in which case we delete your health data and you can't use the app." I want to say Apple would never, but I don't really believe it. Honestly I feel like it's more a matter of "when" than "if." But, I also like my Android phone, because a six year old Android phone (Galaxy S10) has a better keyboard/typing experience than a year-old iPhone (16 Pro Max), and that's kinda sad.

Developers currently using links to app downloads or transactions need to enroll in this program and meet these requirements by January 28, 2026.

In the future, Google intends to apply a service fee on successful transactions and downloads completed via external content links. At this time, however, Google is not assessing these fees and is therefore not requiring developers in this program to report these transactions or downloads to Google.

The external content links program allows developers of Google Play-distributed apps to link users in the United States to external content, including to purchase in-app digital items or to download an app whose install and updates are not managed by Google Play. Additionally, developers can offer external links to purchase in-app digital items in lieu of or alongside Google Play Billing.

Developers must meet the eligibility and requirements set out below, and successfully complete their enrollment in this program prior to using external content links.