alt Hacker NewsShared the same in a comment below, but probably worth adding as a top level comment.
Google are doing exactly the same as Apple previously were doing, mandatory from end of next month - January 28, 2026.
Their new requirements: https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answ...
Replies
x0x0 • yesterday at 6:02 PM
The US court order still remains in effect afaik, so not in the US.
https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answ...
I don't know a lot about this, but for example an would app side loaded or delivered via F-Droid be subject to this policy?
F-Droid notwithstanding using an alternative app is not a very attractive option right now as there no good alternatives. But if Valve can create an Android app store that competes with the Play store, the in principle situation is very different.