Google Play has seen a staggering 47% decline in apps since the start of last year, and online commentators have plenty to say about why. The culprit? A perfect storm of bureaucratic hurdles that are making app development feel more like corporate compliance than creative coding.

The most contentious issue is Google's new trader status rule, which requires developers to share personal details like names and addresses. For individual developers and small teams, this feels like an invasive mandate. Many are simply walking away, preferring to avoid publicly listing their personal information or spending hundreds of euros to create a formal business entity.

The requirements extend beyond just contact details. Developers now need to navigate complex verification processes, including obtaining DUNS numbers and finding 12 beta testers - a particular challenge for hobby projects or niche apps. These barriers disproportionately impact independent developers who traditionally brought innovation and diversity to the app ecosystem.

Platforms like F-Droid are emerging as alternative distribution channels, offering a more developer-friendly environment. However, the broader implications are significant: by making app publication increasingly complex, Google risks stifling the very creativity and experimentation that made Android's app ecosystem vibrant.

The result is a shrinking app marketplace that feels more corporate and less dynamic. For many developers, the juice simply isn't worth the squeeze anymore.