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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

#391

Post by billfruit »

Though easy to phrase it as a moral problem, I think the matter requires an unemotional analysis. At first hearing it looks like shutting down avenues by which open source app developers can gather donations, but perhaps the measure was targeted at shady money laundering operations.

Perhaps the right thing to do is for Google to offer a discounted cut to legit open source apps, from the usual 30% to a lesser value or entirely waive it off so that they can still seek contributions through Google play billing.

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

#392

Post by dessant »

xyzzy_plugh wrote: post #385
dessant wrote: post #377

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's understandable that they want to process payments only for registered organizations, but that still does not explain why are open source apps being taken down for linking to an external page that lists ways to support projects.

Probably because Google or it's financial partners have compliance programs that require all money flows they enable go through the required regulatory channels. If an affiliated party is breaking regulations, you can often get in trouble by continuing to be associated with them once you're aware, and ignorance isn't a valid defense.

It's unlikely that GitHub subjects themselves to legal risk by allowing developers to link to Patreon [1]. I think this issue has more to do with Google's priorities, than what is legally possible.

[1] https://help.github.com/en/articles/displaying-a-sponsor-but...

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

#393

Post by TazeTSchnitzel »

greggman2 wrote: post #382
tolmasky wrote: post #367

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Sure, but why ? If the rules clearly said "no chess games", one could say "that ends the discussion of why chess games are denied", or you could further ask "but why are no chess games allowed?". Is it because Google plans on having their own Google-Chess someday and thus is preemptively preventing competition? Is there a technical or regulatory reason chess games aren't allowed? That's the question (at least for me)…

My guess is it's ripe for fraud. Find open source app, put on Google with your donation platform of choice, profit! By requiring government registration my guess is the hope is both that the fraudsters will be caught or dissuaded and if they do make it past the government registration then when the real devs complain Google can say "take it up with the government. They mis-licensed. We just followed their license"

And a non-donation in-app payment isn't open for fraud?

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

#394

Post by kllrnohj »

anoncake wrote: post #239
lern_too_spel wrote: post #184

Earlier quoted context omitted.

All Google phones and Android One devices have unlockable bootloaders.

Nevertheless, rooting has artificial disadvantages due to "Safety"Net. So the situation on Android isn't acceptable either.

Blame the companies that want & use DRM, not the DRM provider.

It's the same thing that happened on PC ages ago. If you don't like DRM, don't support games & apps that use DRM. Complaining to SecuROM that they are supplying market demand isn't useful. At least SafetyNet isn't a badly made rootkit that destroys your hardware and it's only real flaw is being semi-functional DRM.

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

#395

Post by ndarwincorn »

dTal wrote: post #388
phkahler wrote: post #376

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Better yet, just charge a dollar for the app. Link from the primary website to the app store, so people can buy the right one.

No thanks. If I'm donating to a good cause, I don't want the App Mafia taking a 30% cut. That just reinforces this bad behavior.

It's sort of a convenience fee. I agree with your App Mafia take but my guess is folks that can't be troubled to use F-Droid probably weren't going to donate in the first place.

For instance, D-Sub is available for free on F-Droid but costs something like ~$4 on Google Play.

AndOTP is available on F-Droid, not sure about Wireguard but I'd assume so.

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

#396

Post by opan »

I have been disappointed in the Play Store for a while now. Last I checked, they don't display licenses either, so you can't easily tell what's free software. I get everything from F-Droid these days, and on my primary devices I never even install the google apps after flashing LineageOS.

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

#397

Post by sm4rk0 »

briandear wrote: post #341
helpPeople wrote: post #298

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Completely agree. I do not want to restrict any users. Annoying how hard it is to be independent of FAANG control.

I don’t know much about Android, but is the Play store necessary? If it isn’t, then isn’t that independence from FAANG control?

It isn't [1] but an average Joe doesn't know about alternatives and what's worse doesn't care about them because he's not affected by Google's foul play (or at least he thinks he isn't).

1: https://f-droid.org/

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

#398

Post by yepguy »

krn wrote: post #361
dessant wrote: post #349

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It appears only non-profit organizations are allowed to use Google Play In-app Billing for donations, which is fine. But why are we forbidden from linking to an external page that lists other ways to support a project, such as Patreon? I think we should stop being apologetic, and begin to call out Google for the damage they are inflicting upon open source developers.

> If only non-profit organizations are allowed to use Google Play In-app Billing for donations Nobody is allowed to use Google Play's in-app billing for donations, and only organizations with a valid tax exempt status can link to an external page that lists donation options.

Maybe the Software Freedom Conservancy[1] or Software in the Public Interest[2] could help open source Android apps take donations.

[1]: https://sfconservancy.org/ [2]: https://www.spi-inc.org/

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

#400

Post by iamleppert »

In an ironic twist, our app that Google supported via Summer of Code was removed.

Whoever came up with this policy and started enforcing it at Google is completely tone-deaf, needs to be fired and publicly called out so we can set an example as a community that this sort of behavior will not be tolerated.

We have contacted engineering leadership at Google and they are in the process of figuring out who it is internally.

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