Nextcloud Accuses Google of Hurting Android App Functionality

Introduction: An Open-Source Giant Takes on Google

In a new wave of digital tensions, Nextcloud—the widely respected open-source file hosting platform—has publicly accused tech behemoth Google of deliberately impairing the performance and features of its Android app. Known for its commitment to privacy and digital sovereignty, Nextcloud claims that recent changes to Google’s ecosystem are making it increasingly difficult for independent and privacy-focused applications to function properly on Android devices.

As users become more conscious of where their data lives and who controls it, these claims couldn’t have come at a more critical time. But what exactly is Nextcloud alleging, and how could this affect the Android ecosystem as a whole? Let’s dive deep into the dispute and what it means for tech users and developers alike.

What is Nextcloud?

Before exploring the core of the issue, it’s worth understanding what Nextcloud is all about.

Nextcloud is an open-source, self-hosted file storage solution that offers a private alternative to cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive. Unlike those centralized platforms, Nextcloud allows users to:

• Host their data on their own servers, maintaining complete control and ownership
• Ensure maximum privacy, with no corporate surveillance
• Customize functionality through extensions and integrations

Its Android app has been a critical part of this ecosystem, enabling mobile users to easily access, sync, and share files on-the-go—until now.

The Core Allegation: Google’s New Background Restrictions

Nextcloud’s grievances stem from Google’s ongoing modifications to Android’s background activity policies. In an official blog post, the company claims that due to Google’s increasing limitations on what apps can do while running in the background, the Nextcloud Android app is struggling to:

• Maintain real-time file syncing
• Send timely notifications for activities like shared file updates or calendar reminders
• Efficiently upload photos and videos in the background

These limitations, they argue, don’t just affect performance—they compromise user trust and ultimately push users toward Google’s suite of apps that aren’t subject to the same barriers.

According to Nextcloud, Google appears to be applying a different set of rules to its own apps, which can still operate efficiently in the background. This results in what Nextcloud describes as a “tilted playing field”, one that discourages users from using third-party solutions.

Privacy-Focused Apps at Risk

Nextcloud is not alone in its dissatisfaction with Google’s recent changes. Across the ecosystem, developers of privacy-focused apps have expressed frustration at how difficult it’s becoming to offer comparable services without privileged access.

Apps that prioritize user privacy often avoid unnecessary cloud access or telemetry—and they operate under the assumption that users should control their own data. However, with restrictions like:

• Doze mode limitations, which kill background tasks to conserve battery
• Foreground service requirements for routine operations
• Permission hoops just to access local storage or run persistent processes

…it’s now harder than ever for such apps to function properly.

Google’s Response: Security and Performance Concerns

While Google hasn’t responded specifically to Nextcloud’s recent accusations, the company has long defended these background restrictions as necessary measures for improving:

• Battery life
• System performance
• User security

However, critics argue that Google’s approach puts undue burdens on small developers and privacy-first platforms, while allowing its own suite of apps to bypass or seamlessly accommodate these requirements.

This selective enforcement, intentional or not, leads to speculation about Google’s intentions regarding fair competition and platform neutrality.

The Bigger Picture: EU Scrutiny and Anti-Trust Implications

Nextcloud’s complaints may find an eager audience among regulators in the European Union, especially considering the EU’s ongoing scrutiny of big tech platforms for anti-competitive practices. In fact, Nextcloud has been active in the anti-trust arena before.

In 2021, the company formally filed a complaint with the European Commission over what it described as unfair integration of Google Services—noting how Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos act as defaults on most Android phones