> In addition to the advanced flow we’re building free, limited distribution accounts for students and hobbyists. This allows you to share apps with a small group (up to 20 devices) without needing to provide a government-issued ID or pay a registration fee.

I don't quite understand how those installs would be tracked. If I create a "hobbyist" account and share the apk, are the devices that install that app all reporting it to Google? To my knowledge, Google only does this through the optional Play Protect system, is that now no longer optional? I'd like to know if my computer is reporting every app I install up to Google.

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kuschku 7 hours ago | parent | next [-]

With this change, Android will not just send every app install to Google, but even require approval from Google before allowing app installs.

	▲	gumby271 5 hours ago \| parent [-]
		Which I also don't like, but at least that can be done offline. The signature could be verified on device without sending everything to Google. If they have to track the 20 seats for the hobbyist accounts then they have to be tracking every single install

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kykat 8 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

You thought it wasn't reporting every app you install?

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gumby271 8 hours ago | parent [-]

I mean, I'm happy to be conspiratorial about it too, I give Google no benefit of the doubt, but outside of Play Protect I don't think they explicitly say "your phone is telling us every app you install." This new feature is them making that explicit.

	▲	Lammy 4 hours ago \| parent [-]
		How can you say “outside of Play Protect” when it comes enabled by default and hassles me to turn it back on every time I install an APK?