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Google just deleted my nearly 10-year-old free and open-source Android app

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Re: Google just deleted my nearly 10-year-old free and open-source Android app

#191
post #15

We were suspended once for serving deceptive ads. Yet the only ad network we use is Google Adsense. We had to remove Google Ads to be allowed back in.

Note sure how that is possible? Was your app so ugly that everything looked like an ad, kinda like reverse camouflage?

Re: Google just deleted my nearly 10-year-old free and open-source Android app

#192

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What you call dark patterns are ways to ensure users don't accidentally load malware onto their device. They can definitely do better though - I think a good first step would a dialog to choose trusted alternative app stores such that installing apps does not require a separate confirmation step (as is currently the case.) The Google Play Services moves are unfortunate, but required. Most device manufacturers do not…

"Most device manufacturers do not provide updates for Android on time" Only because Google lets the device manufacturers off the hook. It's a problem of Googles own invention. Trading away customer security for market share. Adding: very successfully too, this isn't the first time I hear how you should almost feel sorry for Google that they have to put so much into google services instead of Android, all because of t…

I hope manufacturers start adopting Android One widely. It will both take the burden of maintenance off them and make the problem of timely system updates go away for their users.

Re: Google just deleted my nearly 10-year-old free and open-source Android app

#193
post #185

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The claim could be something related to interfering with their business. "GOOG agreed to provide my company a service that we have reasonably relied on"..."GOOG struck my app for no cause causing my business damage..." and so on. Though, in-real-life, people who use google services have probably agreed to terms to bar any such claim.

...but its entirely legal (and reasonable) for a business to stop doing business with an entity simply because they feel like it. No matter if they entity was relying on the service or not. It happens all the time.

Except contracts may state otherwise and a court might decide that the "I no longer want to do business" clause is invalid or not applicable. And except in my countries you certainly can't just stop doing business with someone, including a few European ones. Double if the other end is a private customer.

Re: Google just deleted my nearly 10-year-old free and open-source Android app

#194
both Google Play Store and Apple App Store use automated app review systems.

Translation: ITs your fault for not keeping abreast of policy changes.

Same is true for desktop app stores as well and browser plugins.

devs and designers stop whining and being irresponsible the users come first not your feelings!

Re: Google just deleted my nearly 10-year-old free and open-source Android app

#195

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I would want any company that is abusing their power to face consequences. However, it wouldn't surprise me one bit to find out that some of these companies complaining about getting banned are legitimately doing something wrong and their only cards to play are hoping for a political reaction, rather than suing Google in court and being exposed for why they were actually banned.

What would that lawsuit allege? Under contract law, companies have a right to terminate their dealings with others, for any or no reason. Maybe it would be good if there was a law restricting that for these platforms, but as far as I know, there isn't. So I don't see how a lawsuit could be successful.

I'm not a lawyer, but it feels like an abuse of monopoly power (Antitrust laws)

Google sounds like they are using their control of the Android store to prevent an application being published that competes with their Google Maps Mobile App, which also offers similar public transport tracking and time-table information

Re: Google just deleted my nearly 10-year-old free and open-source Android app

#197

The nasty part with those sudden removal/bans from AppStore’s/ services is that they say: You’ve violated something. You’re blocked. You know why! Imagine going with that approach to a child... Without explaining or suggesting the rationale it’s closer to very dark dictatorship instead of providing something closer to a decent legal system where you can appeal and a system that should make justice. With those compani…

It reminds me of The Trial by Kafka.

Who would've thought that one day we'd be thinking about the likes of Apple and Google in the same way as Kafka, and one has to imagine many others, thought about the bureaucracy of the Dual Monarchy.

Re: Google just deleted my nearly 10-year-old free and open-source Android app

#198
post #3

The easiest way to identify a monopoly is to look at how badly a company can treat its customers and still get away with it. My company has a half dozen stories like this about Google in the last year alone. Know what Google is doing to its AdSense partners on a massive scale? They wait until your site has just under the earnings when they have to write you a check, then they terminate your AdSense account for “polic…

Two of the admins in our new WoW-guild got banned by Discord for inviting guild applicants (who had submitted forms asking to be invited) to our server. After a few messages there is phone verification and then after continuing to send out the accounts were banned. Contacting support was just a big 'we confirm the terms of service breach and we so not reinstate accounts'. Those accounts were in some cases the sole ad…

exactly. people are noticing it with google but its all tech companies where your only point of contact is an email address. paypal, uber, facebook, steam, etc etc -- they all deny service to innocent people on a regular basis with no recourse for them. it reminds me of pre social justice movement. isnt it the business' right to deny service to anyone they want to? like all black people? actually, no.

Re: Google just deleted my nearly 10-year-old free and open-source Android app

#199
post #74
post #3

The easiest way to identify a monopoly is to look at how badly a company can treat its customers and still get away with it. My company has a half dozen stories like this about Google in the last year alone. Know what Google is doing to its AdSense partners on a massive scale? They wait until your site has just under the earnings when they have to write you a check, then they terminate your AdSense account for “polic…

This also makes me feel even more strongly that the FTC should really clamp down on these very strict app stores. https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/amicus_briefs/app... Both the App Store and Google Play stores I think are basically illegal monopolies. I should be able to install whatever app I want, without having to jailbreak my phone and deal with warranty nonsense from the manufacturer. Just like my comp…

Long time iOS user and I don’t want to open the App Store. If you look at something like the Nintendo Switch’s eShop, you can get download codes from retailers. I believe retailers get some cut from the sale. Maybe apple could open it up in an indirect way.

In the video game console world you’ve never been able to install your own games. I can’t do it with my car infotainment system either and they have a crude App Store.

Re: Google just deleted my nearly 10-year-old free and open-source Android app

#200
post #3

The easiest way to identify a monopoly is to look at how badly a company can treat its customers and still get away with it. My company has a half dozen stories like this about Google in the last year alone. Know what Google is doing to its AdSense partners on a massive scale? They wait until your site has just under the earnings when they have to write you a check, then they terminate your AdSense account for “polic…

> The easiest way to identify a monopoly is to look at how badly a company can treat its customers and still get away with it.

The only way of identifying a monopoly is to see if they have (very close to) 100% market share.

What you're talking about is a company with market power. Incidentally, this is also what the FTC regulates. Being a monopoly is 100% legal as long as you don't abuse your market position. And you can abuse your market position without being a monopoly.

Maybe you think that's pedantic, but I think it's an important distinction. Google is not a monopoly - they have significant competition in every market they're in. But they are still very abusive in wielding their power.

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