Changing the Google Play assets to grayscale is easy however, Google may push these apps down the listing. Changing the app launcher icon requires more effort but this will appear on the user's screen so the inform the user why and link to KeepAndroidOpen.org.
Mobile is an ecosystem of three: the platform, the developers and the users - we all need each other and the relationship should be balanced. It is not balanced. If Google were to use their platform to block these actions of protest, it will show that they have too much control.
If we decide to do this, we would need some: - an organization(s) to coordinate the protest. KeepAndroidOpen.org, Electronic Frontier Foundation, Free Software Foundation? - a date to coordinate the change to gray. - and many developers, including big names, to join the protest.
As a solo developer, it is difficult to openly organize this protest because I fear of reprisal. Google has removed my app for very minor issues without warning in the past and this impacts my family's income and livelihood.
It is crazy that the Android platform - which is built on the open Linux platform - is locking people down.
I hope this question will lead to good discussion and possibly, a significant protest.
