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Google bans Podcast Addict app over non-approved Covid-19 content

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Re: Google bans Podcast Addict app over non-approved Covid-19 content

#241

Post by scarface74 »

ehnto wrote: post #218
ipsum2 wrote: post #3

My favorite (and only) podcasting app. I hope someone who works at Google reads this and flag it internally. This quote really sums up how ridiculous Google is being: > What Google is asking of Podcast Addict would be comparable to Google asking a web browser app to remove references to all the websites and social media posts that reference the coronavirus unless the reference comes from an official government entity…

I am not a fan of app stores due to these kinds of ecosystem issues, and could never find any good web only podcast players, so I just made my own. It's public but it only really has podcasts I like in the directory.

Overcast has a web player.

Re: Google bans Podcast Addict app over non-approved Covid-19 content

#242

Post by cwhiz »

fauigerzigerk wrote: post #92
gundmc wrote: post #79

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What makes you think this is something other than another (awful) high profile case of automation gone wrong?

Because their action seems consistent with their stated intention of banning all non-official speech on Covid-19? It could still be reversed if they feel public opinion swings the other way. That wouldn't mean it's automation gone wrong.

Except for the Covid-19 podcast on the Google podcast app.

Re: Google bans Podcast Addict app over non-approved Covid-19 content

#243

Post by pinopinopino »

I might be bitter, but I have little love for corporations and their role in the public debate. And I abhor that they play moral compass. Call me a cynic, but that is really beautiful and bold of them. Don't pay taxes, evade worker laws and be cynical enough to proudly present how diverse you are and at the same time let your workers rot in the warehouses (I am looking at you AWS). "Look at the blind, talk to the deaf, listen to the mute and prey on the weak!" seems to be there motto.

The quicker multinationals like this are broken up, the better. For me personally, this is another reason to try to not use Google or Alphabet, it is not easy, but not impossible (yet).

Re: Google bans Podcast Addict app over non-approved Covid-19 content

#244

Post by djsumdog »

Nextgrid wrote: post #173
choward wrote: post #78

I've been getting away from apps installed from the play store over the years. This is one of the 2 remaining apps I have that I paid for. This is appalling behavior my Google. I can't wait until I can make a real Linux based phone my daily driver.

> I can't wait until I can make a real Linux based phone my daily driver. They will be too busy arguing about systemd or similar rather than working on the UX so it will never happen. The Linux world seems to strive for perfection (despite everyone's idea of perfection being different) when they barely have the resources to do even a "good enough" solution.

Um .. PinePhone? PostmarketOS? Plasma Mobile? These things exist now.

Re: Google bans Podcast Addict app over non-approved Covid-19 content

#245

Post by amenod »

antupis wrote: post #234
amenod wrote: post #134

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What do you mean? Pinephone is alive and well and you can get your own Linux "toy" for $150. Can't say much about Librem 5, but afaik they are also shipping.

How is Whatsapp support? Phone without WhatsApp is currently nogo here.

No idea, haven't touched WhatsApp and don't intend to. :)

That said, the SW will of course lag behind commercial offerings. Just see how long it took for desktop Linux to catch up to the major players. But open source system gives me the freedom to turn it inside-out, get rid of things I don't want (even systemd if I felt really strongly about it), repair what I want - be the owner of by phone and not just a cow to be milked for rent. Nah, I can live without WhatsApp. Or I can get a secondary cheap Android phone for such apps.

Re: Google bans Podcast Addict app over non-approved Covid-19 content

#246

Post by pinopinopino »

cannedslime wrote: post #150

I really hate how Google and Facebook have become "Ministries of truth". Especially since they are some of the most agenda ridden, scummy companies in existence. And you can down vote me straight to hell and back for that statement, it doesn't make it any less true.

Me too, makes me want to puke. I hate companies like this.

Re: Google bans Podcast Addict app over non-approved Covid-19 content

#247

Post by xphilter »

john_minsk wrote: post #213
heinrichhartman wrote: post #211

This is the result of out-sourcing juristic work to private companies: If we treat Android, Window, Twitter, Facebook, as public spaces/goods, then private companies should not have a say in what is allowed/not-allowed on their platforms. This is work for the courts and police to decide and enforce. If we treat those platforms as private. Then we are playing in s/o's backyard. You are totally at their mercy. They hav…

If they want to be private someone will take them to court for advertising drugs or something like that. They should have stayed neutral.

That’s impossible. Congress exempted the entire internet from court on something like this. Look at the communications decency act.

Re: Google bans Podcast Addict app over non-approved Covid-19 content

#249

Post by jl2718 »

smt88 wrote: post #48
bbarn wrote: post #13

COVID-19 is the terrorism of this generation. It's the anything goes, doesn't matter how fair, as long as it's because COVID.

Terrorism became a US obsession because a little over 3,000 died on our soil. Covid-19 will kill 100,000 or more. The fear is justified and the extreme prejudice against Covid-19 misinformation (most of which has an agenda behind it) is warranted. This particular case may go too far, but that has no bearing on whether the other efforts against misinformation are too extreme.

What is the agenda?

Re: Google bans Podcast Addict app over non-approved Covid-19 content

#250

Post by nyolfen »

TomMarius wrote: post #156
jimmySixDOF wrote: post #144

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You can try Pocket Casts [1] who are my favorite and only Of course that's assuming that they don't get the same play store treatment from GOOG It's a little too ironic that Goggle, who has countless times made the argument that they aren't responsible/liable for what their users do on a service ("honestly senator its just a platform we provide"), and then here they are the ones calling for some downstream accountabi…

Maybe this is the effect of continuously putting liability on them? You should account the timeline into your thinking, it's not happening at the same time.

it's the effect of trying to avoid regulation by self-regulating. after trump got elected, one of the big media narratives was that it happened because of misinformation ("fake news"); the response has been censorship by platform owners to avoid the charge in the future and any potential federal action
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