Google will ban Russian developers from distributing their apps outside Russia
4 August 16:18
Google is introducing mandatory identity verification for Android app developers. As a result, developers from Russia may lose the ability to distribute their products outside the country, according to Ars Technica, as reported by [Komersant].
All developers of apps for Android 7 and newer versions will be required to undergo mandatory identity verification.
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Residents of Russia, Iran, Cuba, and North Korea will not be able to pass this verification due to existing U.S. sanctions. A Google spokesperson confirmed to Ars Technica that developers from sanctioned countries will not be granted access to the verification system. Google explains the changes as necessary to combat fraudulent apps and improve user security.
The new rules will affect not only Google Play but also alternative app stores, including the Russian RuStore. In addition, the restrictions will apply to apps distributed directly as APK files. RuStore has been subject to U.S. sanctions since 2024.
Once the new rules take effect, apps from unverified developers will automatically be classified as unverified. Users can install such apps manually. To do so, they must enable developer mode, confirm that the installation is not associated with scammers, restart the device, and wait 24 hours. According to Ars Technica, this procedure will prevent most users from installing such apps. The new system will go into effect on September 30, 2026, in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand. Over the next year, Google plans to roll it out worldwide.
The creators of the alternative app store F-Droid, the human rights organization Electronic Frontier Foundation, the Tor Project, Proton, Brave, AdGuard, and dozens of other organizations have spoken out against Google’s new policy, according to Cnews. In an open letter, they stated that mandatory developer registration could restrict the independent distribution of apps and strengthen Google’s control over the Android platform.
Google has previously imposed sanctions against Russians. In March 2022, the company suspended the Google Play payment system in Russia, after which users lost the ability to purchase apps, games, and subscriptions through the store. Subsequently, Google restricted the operation of its advertising services in Russia and began removing apps from Russian banks and companies subject to international sanctions from Google Play.
On August 3 of this year, Russian users noticed that several VK apps had disappeared from Google Play. The Max messenger, the VK app, as well as Odnoklassniki, Mail.ru, Zen, VK Music, VK Video, VK Dating, and other company services were removed from the store.
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