French tax android app no longer working without Google Play

Eirikr70

Hello, I have noticed that the french tax android app (impots.gouv) no longer works without Google Play installed. I would like to avoid installing it for that only app. Does anyone suffer the same situation ? Have any idea how to have them revert to not using Google Play ?

maximus87

If you installed the App after installing Google Play, and then deleted the latter, you might need to reinstall the App (maybe it has something similar to Signal, where it uses Google Play when they are detected).
Otherwise, you can install it in another profile along with Google Play.

Eirikr70

maximus87 Otherwise, you can install it in another profile along with Google Play.

Yes, I know I can do that, but I don't expect a public administration to impose me to use a private software (thus giving the editor access to my data, although very little) to access a public service ...

fgafr

Hello,

Won't be very helpfull but didn't fond another solution than creating a secondary profile with Google Play Services for this app and digital identity app from La Poste.

Unfortunately french administrations went the short ans easy way using Google Play for some functions such as notifications...

Eirikr70

fgafr for this app and digital identity app from La Poste.

Yes, I noticed that also a few weeks ago, and I didn't like that either. That is a problem of principles : I shouldn't be forced to give my data to a private company, what's more a foreign company known not to respect the EU rules, in order to access a public service !

wojon

Eirikr70 I agree, the barrier to access and use public services should be as low as possible. @Eirikr70 , to my understanding, the French administration is quite sensitive to this subject. I guess you could file a request/complaint and chances are not too bad that they will review their policies in this regard.

fgafr

Eirikr70 I fully agree with you ! Maybe being a bit naive I can't convince myself that it's a voluntary stance, more probably a lack of control over the dev team or the subcontractor building the apps.

As @wojon suggested filling requests regarding this subjective could be usefull. I'll give this a try

Eirikr70

I did write them an email. I'll wait for the answer, but I'm afraid it is probably a deliberate choice in order to increase security at lower cost.

fgafr

Eirikr70 may you share the email address you wrote to ?

Eirikr70

fgafr stap@dgfip.finances.gouv.fr

Eirikr70

It works again. They didn't answer my message but maybe they took it into account ...