1. United States
2. Wash.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my deep concern about Google's new developer registration policy for Android apps and its potential impact on open-source software distribution. This policy, which requires all Android developers to register centrally with Google, pay a fee, and provide personal identification, poses a significant threat to platforms like F-Droid, an open-source app store that has been providing free and secure apps for 15 years. F-Droid's approach to app distribution prioritizes user privacy and security, offering a stark contrast to commercial app stores. Their rigorous process of reviewing, building, and distributing open-source apps has been a cornerstone of software freedom in the Android ecosystem. However, Google's new policy jeopardizes this model of free and open distribution. It's crucial to understand that this policy is not primarily about enhancing security, as Google claims. Rather, it appears to be a move to consolidate power over the Android ecosystem, potentially stifling innovation and limiting user choice. This action by Google deserves immediate regulatory scrutiny. The right to run any software on one's own device is a fundamental principle of digital freedom. Google's policy threatens this right by creating barriers to open-source app distribution. This could have far-reaching consequences for software development, user privacy, and the overall health of the digital ecosystem. I urge you to take action to protect open-source software distribution and challenge Google's new policy. Specifically, I request that you: 1. Initiate an investigation into the potential anti-competitive effects of Google's new developer registration policy. 2. Support legislation that protects the rights of users to install software from sources of their choosing on their own devices. 3. Engage with representatives from open-source communities to understand the full impact of such policies on innovation and digital freedom. Time is of the essence. As Google moves to implement this policy, platforms like F-Droid and the developers they support face immediate challenges. Swift action is necessary to prevent irreparable harm to the open-source ecosystem. By defending software freedom and open distribution, we can ensure a more innovative, secure, and user-centric digital future. I look forward to your response and action on this critical issue.