The tech giant stresses that this does not mean developers can’t distribute outside of the Play Store through other app stores or via sideloading — Android will remain open in that regard. However, developers who appreciated the anonymity of alternative distribution methods will no longer have that option.

Currently, developers who create “sideloaded” Android apps are exempt from Google’s verification requirements.

Google is introducing new restrictions on Android app distribution, and it could spell the end for some popular third-party apps.