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Google bans my events app for referencing Covid-19, or related terms

news.ycombinator.com

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Re: Google bans my events app for referencing Covid-19, or related terms

#11

Post by davidg109 »

I have a strong love/hate relationship with all this App Store oligopoly. Love because often they are weeding out apps with security/privacy concerns. On the flip side, cases like this where you are 600 feet buried in red tape trying to talk some sense into someone at the company.

You can try to talk to someone at Google, but good luck with that. I think you’re doing what’s best now. Shine a spotlight so far up Google’s hooter via publicity about your case that someone higher up catches your attention and remedies the situation.

Re: Google bans my events app for referencing Covid-19, or related terms

#12

Post by FrozenSynapse »

cryptoquick wrote: post #5

Google is just such an awful, despicable company, that I've actually moved everything I can from their platform. It wasn't easy, I'd been a Gmail user for nearly 15 years. I'd rather pay Microsoft a hundred bucks a year than support them. That's how much I hate Google.

If Google specifically says in it's Google Play TOS that keywords related to COVID-19 are forbidden, then the decision is correct.

Stop hating on Google! Google is one of the few companies that provide quality services for end-users "for free".

Re: Google bans my events app for referencing Covid-19, or related terms

#14

Post by sschueller »

leppr wrote: post #8

I've long wished there was a more encompassing alternative to F-Droid, which would include the same payment facilities as Google Play (paid app, in-app payments, subscriptions), allow proprietary apps (but still give FOSS as a search filter and show it as a prominent feature on the app page), and offer plenty of user curation features ala Steam and make filters optional (which would allow communities of independent r…

Someone needs to take this to the EU courts and force google (and apple) to allow the use of alternate app stores that are not technically hindered.

It was done with Windows and Explorer so I don't see why this is any different.

Re: Google bans my events app for referencing Covid-19, or related terms

#15

Post by ravenstine »

coffeefirst wrote: post #7
Uhrheber wrote: post #4

Artificial intelligence? More like dumber than the dumbest human.

Yes. Going after the crop of fraudsters and SEO scammers trying to cash in on the crisis is a fine idea. But between this and Podcast Addict, it's pretty clear they're just indiscriminately deleting everything or trusting and algorithm to make hard calls. The odds are good they ban Red Cross or a reputable news organization.

Whoa, they took away Podcast Addict? I've used PA for nearly a decade and can't see how they could credibly ban it from their store. Either this is a result of their advanced "AI" making an oopsie or they're using the current situation as an excuse to axe their competition, and I'm more likely to believe the latter. Google always acts with a degree of plausible deniability.

Re: Google bans my events app for referencing Covid-19, or related terms

#16

Post by hpoe »

FrozenSynapse wrote: post #12
cryptoquick wrote: post #5

Google is just such an awful, despicable company, that I've actually moved everything I can from their platform. It wasn't easy, I'd been a Gmail user for nearly 15 years. I'd rather pay Microsoft a hundred bucks a year than support them. That's how much I hate Google.

If Google specifically says in it's Google Play TOS that keywords related to COVID-19 are forbidden, then the decision is correct. Stop hating on Google! Google is one of the few companies that provide quality services for end-users "for free".

You're right all just "for free" don't mind them now slurping up your emails, tracking your locations at all times, recording your voice, and more. It's free. Don't worry about what's happening outside the Coliseum focus on the bread and circuses being passed out everything is fine.

Re: Google bans my events app for referencing Covid-19, or related terms

#17

Post by cwhiz »

FrozenSynapse wrote: post #12
cryptoquick wrote: post #5

Google is just such an awful, despicable company, that I've actually moved everything I can from their platform. It wasn't easy, I'd been a Gmail user for nearly 15 years. I'd rather pay Microsoft a hundred bucks a year than support them. That's how much I hate Google.

If Google specifically says in it's Google Play TOS that keywords related to COVID-19 are forbidden, then the decision is correct. Stop hating on Google! Google is one of the few companies that provide quality services for end-users "for free".

Legitimately, are you a paid Google employee?

Re: Google bans my events app for referencing Covid-19, or related terms

#18

Post by rootusrootus »

Since Google is taking such a strong position against what they view as COVID19 misinformation, are they liable if I get sick as a result of some misinformation that managed to get through their filters? I might not try to go after some small time app developer or other rando on the Internet, but if Google is willing to stand behind their guarantee with those wonderfully deep pockets...

Re: Google bans my events app for referencing Covid-19, or related terms

#19

Post by scarface74 »

leppr wrote: post #8

I've long wished there was a more encompassing alternative to F-Droid, which would include the same payment facilities as Google Play (paid app, in-app payments, subscriptions), allow proprietary apps (but still give FOSS as a search filter and show it as a prominent feature on the app page), and offer plenty of user curation features ala Steam and make filters optional (which would allow communities of independent r…

You can sideload apps on Android.
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