In most of these stories featuring Google abusing their power to remove apps, it's usually a matter of some automated tool gone wrong and the problem is solved a couple of days later. But this time it's different, they are actually asking developers to censor themselves if they are not affiliated with a gov.
Google bans Podcast Addict app over non-approved Covid-19 content
61–70 of 577 posts
Re: Google bans Podcast Addict app over non-approved Covid-19 content
#62Podcast Addict is a great app. I came across it back when I was playing around with Tasker, and it was such a fun app to create tasks around simply because the developer has exposed so much through Intents. A really positive platform, such a shame to see Google quashing this sort of thing.
Re: Google bans Podcast Addict app over non-approved Covid-19 content
#63This is like Google banning the YouTube app from the play store for having videos about covid that aren't from government sources. Insane stuff.
> Insane stuff
Google is actually applying the same standard in this case (or at least attempting to). They're also fighting conspiracy theories on YouTube.
Re: Google bans Podcast Addict app over non-approved Covid-19 content
#64This is disgusting, Google has become disgusting.. This is exactly why Google and maybe other large corporations absolutely need to get split up. I hope Trump takes action against US tech companies as he have said he would. Very few things would make me happier as an european.
This actually feels like an intentional move by Google to NOT get split up. Don’t worry government, we got your back! We’ll ban things that aren’t approved by you!
No, it's a service to public health to take down crap. People spreading "covid19 is fake" propaganda are literally getting themselves, their parents and friends killed. Freedom of speech also comes with responsibility - the responsibility of not endangering others with your speech. Similar as inciting hatred and screaming "fire" in a crowded restaurant will earn you jail time, people should be happy it's only their YT channel killed and not their sorry asses landing in jail!
I would have no problem if covid19 was taking out only those propaganda spouting idiots from the gene pool, but unlike let's say people ignoring gun safety laws and pointing a loaded shotgun at their feet which then goes off and blasts their feet away but like as with antivaxxers, anything involving infectious diseases also endangers innocent people. Mothers, fathers, children, the weakest of societies.
I am incredibly lucky to not have lost someone close to me to the 'rona, but other people I know have not been that lucky. So every time I hear someone "we gotta open up for the economy!!!" I'd like to throw these idiots in a jail cell and let the keys sink to the bottom of the Mariana Trench out of empathy for those affected by the reality.
Re: Google bans Podcast Addict app over non-approved Covid-19 content
#65I've never lived in China but this immediately sounds like my (naive) idea of what it must be like: you're only allowed to consume what the government has approved.
I think this is setting a dangerous precedence.
Re: Google bans Podcast Addict app over non-approved Covid-19 content
#66Original link: https://reclaimthenet.org/google-play-suspends-podcast-addic... Weird that Apple does this proxying... not going to open up that News app.
Dang, can we change the link to https://reclaimthenet.org/google-play-suspends-podcast-addic...?
Re: Google bans Podcast Addict app over non-approved Covid-19 content
#67COVID-19 is the terrorism of this generation. It's the anything goes, doesn't matter how fair, as long as it's because COVID.
I agree. It’s badly affected air travel and who knows what changes will result (or what contracts for pointless bio-security theatre have been made) In the UK, a 300+ page law was basically pre-written and enacted very quickly, reminiscent of the early anti terrorism law. We have set up a bio security unit, currently headed by the security services. UK has a “threat level” system for coronavirus similar to the terror…
Do you think it's unjustified? Other countries have acted much more quickly and saved lots of lives.
Re: Google bans Podcast Addict app over non-approved Covid-19 content
#68Re: Google bans Podcast Addict app over non-approved Covid-19 content
#69I've never lived in China but this immediately sounds like my (naive) idea of what it must be like: you're only allowed to consume what the government has approved. I think this is setting a dangerous precedence.
Except in this case it's not the government, but private corporations taking some kind of political stance.
Google in particular has been very "active," not to forget also: https://www.businessinsider.com/youtube-will-ban-anything-ag... ("video that 'goes against' WHO guidance on the pandemic will be blocked")
Re: Google bans Podcast Addict app over non-approved Covid-19 content
#70Google should be more careful about banning high ranking/rated apps. It looks anti-competitive considering they want more people using Google podcasting app.
I'd like to think this was an accident somewhere down the chain and will be remedied in the morning. I love the app and hope it gets sorted out.