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Open-source apps removed from Google Play Store due to donation links

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Re: Open-source apps removed from Google Play Store due to donation links

#81

Post by sniuff »

black_puppydog wrote: post #77

The very same thing happened to manyverse (android ssb client) the other day. Got de-listed, resubmitted without donation page, now it's back up. How google tries to claim any sort of support for open source is beyond me. What open source app doesn't need a donation link? Those approved and funded by google don't, okay. But other than that?

Open source app can be compiled and installed without Google play store. If you are hosting on their platform, you adhere to their rules, you are not paying monthly for your free app download bandwith and storage do you ?

Re: Open-source apps removed from Google Play Store due to donation links

#82

Post by LennyWhiteJr »

gorgoiler wrote: post #76

Ugh, app stores! No one needs them for discovering new software. You go to the app store to get a specific piece of software you already know about and whose reputation you’ve already verified. No one needs them for code signing. If you want the real firefox.apk you can download it from https://firefox.com/ and notice a lack of SSL alarms going off. What’s the code signing for — to let me know that HTTPS works?! All…

Code Signing and HTTPS are two completely unrelated concepts...

Re: Open-source apps removed from Google Play Store due to donation links

#83

Post by tjpnz »

As far as moneitisation is concerned it really feels as though Google want you displaying their ads or have you funnel your users through their checkout process. Anything else seems to result in apps getting flagged for violating policies around payments or deceptive advertising.

Re: Open-source apps removed from Google Play Store due to donation links

#84

Post by etskinner »

LennyWhiteJr wrote: post #82
gorgoiler wrote: post #76

Ugh, app stores! No one needs them for discovering new software. You go to the app store to get a specific piece of software you already know about and whose reputation you’ve already verified. No one needs them for code signing. If you want the real firefox.apk you can download it from https://firefox.com/ and notice a lack of SSL alarms going off. What’s the code signing for — to let me know that HTTPS works?! All…

Code Signing and HTTPS are two completely unrelated concepts...

Yes, but their point is: Why would you need code signing if https is working correctly when downloading software?

Re: Open-source apps removed from Google Play Store due to donation links

#85

Post by pjmlp »

gorgoiler wrote: post #76

Ugh, app stores! No one needs them for discovering new software. You go to the app store to get a specific piece of software you already know about and whose reputation you’ve already verified. No one needs them for code signing. If you want the real firefox.apk you can download it from https://firefox.com/ and notice a lack of SSL alarms going off. What’s the code signing for — to let me know that HTTPS works?! All…

Street Joe and Jane lack the technical skills to understand https://firefox.com/ from https://firefox,.com/, or what installing an app means.

"Isn't just clicking _next_ until the app starts?"

Re: Open-source apps removed from Google Play Store due to donation links

#86

Post by Santosh83 »

A general comment: the need of the hour is to educate the billions of 'ordinary' computer users about the basics of software, privacy, security and trust. We must not fall into the narrative being parroted around off-late that considers end-users as pretty much dumb content consumers who should not be expected to ever know even the minimum about the underlying tech and therefore every decision needs to be made for them by a small minority of corporations, govts, and the tech elite acting as gatekeepers and overseers. This is a dangerous road to go down unwittingly. Too much de facto power is concentrated in the hands of the few while the rest are gradually trained into normalise being helplessly manipulated and told to defer to authority.

Re: Open-source apps removed from Google Play Store due to donation links

#87

Post by mschuster91 »

na85 wrote: post #49
oh_sigh wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I can almost guarantee you that a googler who reads hn has submitted this issue to an internal mailing list and you will get special treatment for this problem.

It's fucking infuriating that the only way to get the attention of a human at Google is to know someone or to frontpage HN.

Or in Germany to get an emergency court order ("Einstweilige Verfügung"), dunno if the US has a similar legal venue. At least with an EV you get the immediate attention of their legal department.

Re: Open-source apps removed from Google Play Store due to donation links

#88

Post by icebraining »

sniuff wrote: post #81
black_puppydog wrote: post #77

The very same thing happened to manyverse (android ssb client) the other day. Got de-listed, resubmitted without donation page, now it's back up. How google tries to claim any sort of support for open source is beyond me. What open source app doesn't need a donation link? Those approved and funded by google don't, okay. But other than that?

Open source app can be compiled and installed without Google play store. If you are hosting on their platform, you adhere to their rules, you are not paying monthly for your free app download bandwith and storage do you ?

That doesn't mean you can't question (and even criticize!) the rules or their application.

Re: Open-source apps removed from Google Play Store due to donation links

#89

Post by acollins1331 »

sniuff wrote: post #81
black_puppydog wrote: post #77

The very same thing happened to manyverse (android ssb client) the other day. Got de-listed, resubmitted without donation page, now it's back up. How google tries to claim any sort of support for open source is beyond me. What open source app doesn't need a donation link? Those approved and funded by google don't, okay. But other than that?

Open source app can be compiled and installed without Google play store. If you are hosting on their platform, you adhere to their rules, you are not paying monthly for your free app download bandwith and storage do you ?

Wow great point. Now why the hell can't they have a donation link?

Re: Open-source apps removed from Google Play Store due to donation links

#90

Post by segfaultbuserr »

black_puppydog wrote: post #77

The very same thing happened to manyverse (android ssb client) the other day. Got de-listed, resubmitted without donation page, now it's back up. How google tries to claim any sort of support for open source is beyond me. What open source app doesn't need a donation link? Those approved and funded by google don't, okay. But other than that?

The strangest fact is, those donation pages only have some links, there is no in-app payment. I don't understand what Google is thinking about when they banned donations...

Wait. I suddenly understand something I've seen previously...

There is a workaround! You simply upload two versions of the app, the free edition and the supporter edition. The support's edition is a paid app. You can ask the users who want to support you to install the paid app in your free app. The program itself is still 100% free and open source, there is no functionality restrictions in the free app, the donation notice can be turned off - just as a way to encourage donations. And it's nothing against the rules of the store.

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