Google’s developer registration decision and it’s threat to the EU’s tech sovereignty

Question for written answer E-001349/2026
to the Commission
Rule 144
Alexandra Geese (Verts/ALE), Anna Cavazzini (Verts/ALE), Reinier Van Lanschot (Verts/ALE)

In August 2025, Google unilaterally decided[1] that Android developers will be required to register centrally with Google. In addition to demanding the payment of a registration fee and agreement to its terms and conditions, Google also requires software developers to upload documentation to confirm their identity[2], including government-issued ID, and to enumerate[3] all the unique 'application identifiers' for every app that is to be distributed by the registered developer.

This has a drastic impact on open-source projects, competition and innovation. More importantly, this negatively impacts the EU's ability to work towards technological sovereignty, as Google frequently complies with the demands of non-EU countries to remove perfectly legal apps that do not fit their political agenda.

Is the Commission aware of this issue, and is it examining its compatibility with the Digital Markets Act?

Submitted: 1.4.2026

• [1] Frey, S., 'A new layer of security for certified Android devices', Android Developers, 25 August 2025, https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2025/08/elevating-android-security.html.
• [2] Android Developers, 'Elevating Android security to keep it open and safe', https://developer.android.com/developer-verification#verify-your-identity.
• [3] Android Developers, 'Elevating Android security to keep it open and safe', https://developer.android.com/developer-verification#register-your-apps.