Bingo.

After I made that comment, I thought about it some more and realized an existing metaphor already fits:

• Say you see a BMW 316d but with M3 badges. Those who don't know cars, don't care. Those who do know cars, know that the owner is full of shit.

Relating this to Android:

• People who don't use 3rd party app stores, or other apps, don't care about the developer verification. People who do use those things, already know that Google's excuses are horseshit.

This verification bullshit will not only affect the developers who will be forced to register with google, but also the very people who made Android what it is today. Custom ROMs brought many features to Android that are now considered core elements:

• Night mode
• Bubble conversations
• Widgets
• Always-on display
• Caffeinate
• Quick settings
• Split screen/multitasking

....and that's not even scratching the surface. There is so, so much more.