Nextcloud is taking aim at Google, blaming the company for a change in policy that has effectively crippled the Nextcloud app.
Nextcloud is a popular, open source cloud platform that competes with Google Workspace, offering storage, online office suite, video conferencing, task management, contacts, calendar, and a host of other applications. On mobile devices, Nextcloud offers the ability to automatically backup files and pictures, but requires All Files Access to work correctly on Android.
According to the company, the Android Nextcloud app has not been working correctly for some months.
We are aware that for some months, Nextcloud file uploads for Android users have not been working as expected: you cannot upload all data to your Nextcloud, only photos and videos. We have seen your complaints in various forums such as the Nextcloud help forum, on GitHub, Reddit, or other forums.
What Happened?
Nextcloud then goes on to explain what happened.
As your experience with the Nextcloud Files app for Android has worsened, we wanted to share the background. Google has revoked a critical permission to sync all files. Despite multiple appeals since mid-2024, Google has refused to reinstate it, forcing us to limit file uploads for millions of users.
The Nextcloud file uploads issue means that some media files, such as pictures and videos, can still be uploaded from Android devices to Nextcloud, but all other files cannot. And that is pretty much beating the purpose.
Google is blaming security concerns as the reason for removing the feature, and explanation that is not sitting well with Nextcloud. The Nextcloud app has had the feature since 2016, with Google never raising any security issues.
To make matters worse, Google’s own apps, as well as similar apps from other Big Tech companies, still have All Files Access.
Despite multiple appeals since mid-2024, Google has refused to reinstate the permission, blocking automated Nextcloud file uploads for millions of users.
To make it crystal clear: All of you as users have a worse Nextcloud Files client because Google wanted that. We understand and share your frustration, but there is nothing we can do.
As Nextcloud points out, it is possible to install Nextcloud via the F-Droid store, an alternative Android store focused on open source applications.
Is Google Targeting Nextcloud?
The fact that Google is blocking Nextcloud from offering a feature it uses itself, and allows other Big Tech companies to use, certainly gives the strong impression that Google is specifically targeting Nextcloud. The open source platform has been growing in popularity, especially as users tire of Big Tech options.
If Google is targeting Nextcloud, it’s playing a dangerous game at a time when Google has lost two antitrust cases and both Apple and Google are under increased scrutiny for how they manage their respective app ecosystems.
Nextcloud is an outstanding cloud platform, one any user looking to lessen their reliance on Big Tech should look at. Meanwhile, Google’s shenanigans serve as a prime example of why users should be wary of Big Tech, and why thy might want to break free.
