Google’s next-generation reCAPTCHA system could spell trouble for de-Googled phones

CAPTCHA tests are annoying, but at the same time, they can help protect websites from bots. Although these tests are already the bane of our internet existence, for some Android users they are about to get even worse. Requiring Google’s next-generation reCAPTCHA system will make browsing the web much harder for de-Googled phones.

A reddit user highlights a seemingly innocuous support page For Google’s reCAPTCHA system. The page in question pertains to troubleshooting reCAPTCHA verification on mobile. In the document, it states that you will need to use a compatible mobile device to complete verification. If you have an Android phone, this means you need to be running Google Play Services version 25.41.30 or higher.

This requirement will apply when the system suspects suspicious activity. At that point, reCAPTCHA will skip the old image puzzles and require you to scan a QR code with your smartphone to prove you’re human. Although this will stop an autonomous bot in its tracks, it also adds another step to verification. But the problem goes a little deeper than the annoyance of an extra step.

This is not necessarily a new change. according to piunikawebThe tech giant was laying the groundwork for this verification system since October last year. What’s more, we all have ignored this change till now.

This requirement won’t be a problem for the average Android user who has Google Play Services installed on their phone. However, this will be a big problem for those who like Android, but not Google. If you have something like GrapheneOS installed that doesn’t have Google Play Services pre-installed, your phone will fail the reCAPTCHA test by default when you proceed to the QR code step. This means that if Google’s verification system becomes widely adopted, browsing the web could become a headache.