Element (Matrix chat app) suspended from the Google Play Store • Hacker News Board

Re: Element (Matrix chat app) suspended from the Google Play Store

#671

Post by conradev » Sat, Jan 30, 2021, 2:44 PM UTC

alex_reg wrote: post #641

Arathorn wrote: post #472

Earlier quoted context omitted.

We received a generic update at 05:31 UTC confirming that the app had been suspended due to abusive content (Sexual Content and Profanity: https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answ... ); we're following up to explain how Matrix and Element works and get this resolved.

This is probably not a coincidence or an oversight, but rather a "what can we get away with" attempt, similar to previous efforts to remove UBlock Origin. But why? Matrix is tiny and no threat to Google services. I'd personally expect three letter agencies to be involved here. The US government has been aggressively going after encrypted communication for years, with extreme tactics like personal intimidation and sec…

This seems like a classic case of Hanlon’s razor and I don’t see any evidence to the contrary (yet).

An NSL would be handled a lot differently than removing an app from a single app store for sexual content. Every indication so far points to it being a mistake by Google.

From less than a week ago: https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2021/01/googles-bots-decide-...

Re: Element (Matrix chat app) suspended from the Google Play Store

#672

Post by cxr » Sat, Jan 30, 2021, 2:44 PM UTC

Arathorn wrote: post #597

Arathorn wrote: post #472

Earlier quoted context omitted.

We received a generic update at 05:31 UTC confirming that the app had been suspended due to abusive content (Sexual Content and Profanity: https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answ... ); we're following up to explain how Matrix and Element works and get this resolved.

We've just published an official blog post updating on the situation at https://element.io/blog/element-on-google-play-store/ which we'll keep updated as things progress.

Will Matrix respond to this by pointing out that F-Droid is a viable option for people intending to publish or use FOSS apps?

Re: Element (Matrix chat app) suspended from the Google Play Store

#673

Post by cheph » Sat, Jan 30, 2021, 2:44 PM UTC

Havoc wrote: post #539

>suspension is due to abusive content somewhere on Matrix; we're working with them to explain how Element works What a joke. Does google remove their own messenger platform and email app too when someone uses them to send something naughty?

Report it, and report their browser, and all E2E encrypted messaging apps (Signal, WhatsApp, Facebook): https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/cont...

Re: Element (Matrix chat app) suspended from the Google Play Store

#674

Post by cheph » Sat, Jan 30, 2021, 2:46 PM UTC

alangibson wrote: post #504

> We've had contact from Google confirming that the suspension is due to abusive content somewhere on Matrix If this takedown stands, this effectively means that all distributed message systems are banned from the Play store.

Does not have to be distributed, can be any E2E encrypted also. Signal should be banned, WhatsApp, Facebook messenger: https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/cont...

Report them all, if you can't find objectionable content on those, write it to yourself, screenshot it and report the apps.

Re: Element (Matrix chat app) suspended from the Google Play Store

#675

Post by jancsika » Sat, Jan 30, 2021, 2:46 PM UTC

brettwilcox wrote: post #502

volta83 wrote: post #490

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Let each user pick among any of the multiple clients available. Don't design your system / process to only support one client.

It puts too much pressure on Helpdesk to provide the support needed when you don't have a common path.

This reality should be yelled by a death metal band singer 24/7 at every FOSS developer.

Re: Element (Matrix chat app) suspended from the Google Play Store

#676

Post by conradev » Sat, Jan 30, 2021, 2:46 PM UTC

zaroth wrote: post #666

alex_reg wrote: post #641

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is probably not a coincidence or an oversight, but rather a "what can we get away with" attempt, similar to previous efforts to remove UBlock Origin. But why? Matrix is tiny and no threat to Google services. I'd personally expect three letter agencies to be involved here. The US government has been aggressively going after encrypted communication for years, with extreme tactics like personal intimidation and sec…

> But why? Matrix is tiny and no threat to Google services. There is an absolutely unprecedented shift going on as we speak, one of those groundswell events that have the potential to shift usage habits of hundreds of millions of people. We got a taste just recently with the shift away from WhatsApp based on a TOS update . Imagine arguing last year that ten million users would jump ship based on a TOS change? Matrix,…

Google has no (competitive) horse in the messenger race, so while that theory might fit your ideological point of view, I don’t understand why Google itself would have any incentive (or grounds) to remove an open source chat app.

How is Matrix a threat to Google?

Re: Element (Matrix chat app) suspended from the Google Play Store

#677

Post by StavrosK » Sat, Jan 30, 2021, 2:49 PM UTC

Shorel wrote: post #272

paulcarroty wrote: post #243

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Google will explain what’s going on shortly It's definitely not Google style. But I hope Matrix will get more promotion in result.

Newsflash: there is a chat system so secure, Google doesn't want you to know it exists.

Which one?

Re: Element (Matrix chat app) suspended from the Google Play Store

#678

Post by eganist » Sat, Jan 30, 2021, 2:53 PM UTC

conradev wrote: post #676

zaroth wrote: post #666

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> But why? Matrix is tiny and no threat to Google services. There is an absolutely unprecedented shift going on as we speak, one of those groundswell events that have the potential to shift usage habits of hundreds of millions of people. We got a taste just recently with the shift away from WhatsApp based on a TOS update . Imagine arguing last year that ten million users would jump ship based on a TOS change? Matrix,…

Google has no (competitive) horse in the messenger race, so while that theory might fit your ideological point of view, I don’t understand why Google itself would have any incentive (or grounds) to remove an open source chat app. How is Matrix a threat to Google?

> How is Matrix a threat to Google?

Conjecture on my part: it's a threat to the ad spend Google gets from Facebook.

Re: Element (Matrix chat app) suspended from the Google Play Store

#679

Post by seaourfreed » Sat, Jan 30, 2021, 2:53 PM UTC

Facebook & Twitter found that they must trap people there. The flood to Parler that caused Parler to the top of Apple/Android App Stores made them block free speach.

Matrix app. Discussions on what to do about Telegram / Signal. Blocking Parlor.

Citizens can only challenge the establishment around a rigged economy if citizens have a place for free speech. FB/Twitter enable censorship.

Re: Element (Matrix chat app) suspended from the Google Play Store

#680

Post by Arathorn » Sat, Jan 30, 2021, 2:58 PM UTC

cxr wrote: post #672

Arathorn wrote: post #597

Earlier quoted context omitted.

We've just published an official blog post updating on the situation at https://element.io/blog/element-on-google-play-store/ which we'll keep updated as things progress.

Will Matrix respond to this by pointing out that F-Droid is a viable option for people intending to publish or use FOSS apps?

good point; have updated the blog post.