My app just got removed with no prior warning • Hacker News Board

Re: My app just got removed with no prior warning

#41

Post by jonnycomputer » Thu, Jul 15, 2021, 1:45 PM UTC

tacker2000 wrote: post #23

People need to realize that these walled garden lock ins are the worst thing ever in our industry. To be honest, I would think twice nowadays if I wanted to do invest my precious life in developing an iOS app and have my income derived from that. If the gatekeeper is unhappy, they can kill my livelihood without any recourse. Same thing is happening in the ecommerce space with Amazon: they can ban your seller account…

That's right.

Just one more reason to break them up. I'm certain I'll get people who disagree, or say that it won't do any good. But I disagree. These companies are too big, too powerful. Break them up.

Re: My app just got removed with no prior warning

#42

Post by dsr_ » Thu, Jul 15, 2021, 1:46 PM UTC

collaborative wrote: post #40

totalZero wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you don't employ third parties then presumably you could have chosen not to copy that part of protonmail's privacy policy.

I am not a lawyer and don't know how wide "3rd parties" can refer to. Is my cloud provider a 3rd party? If there is a lawyer here who can advise that it is safe to do I will remove it

Don't take legal advice from Internet lawyers; don't take business advice from your competitors.

Hire somebody knowledgeable to review your privacy policy and terms of service.

Re: My app just got removed with no prior warning

#43

Post by jonnycomputer » Thu, Jul 15, 2021, 1:47 PM UTC

gameswithgo wrote: post #12

A lot of hackernews seems really dedicated to the idea that Google and Apple should decide what software we get to make and sell. Why are people so gung ho to be under the corporate boot like this?

Maybe some of them are invested in the status quo.

Re: My app just got removed with no prior warning

#44

Post by orkohunter » Thu, Jul 15, 2021, 1:47 PM UTC

This is jeopardising startups a lot.

Re: My app just got removed with no prior warning

#45

Post by smackeyacky » Thu, Jul 15, 2021, 1:48 PM UTC

Its a good idea to offer an alternative download for your app on your website for authenticated users. The users will have to uninstall the app to side load your private version but with a small user base this is manageable.

I got caught a bit last year when I released a version that had a terrible bug in it, then google play were taking 7 days to review apps due to covid.

I wish there was a way to make your private app the same as the google play app so it didn't require uninstallation despite being signed with the same key, but that results in an installation error.

I am sure google have some handwavy security fable around why this doesn't work, but their processes can be a massive risk to your business and you need to manage it somehow, so uninstall and sideload is unfortunately all that is possible.

Re: My app just got removed with no prior warning

#46

Post by dboreham » Thu, Jul 15, 2021, 1:49 PM UTC

collaborative wrote: post #40

totalZero wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you don't employ third parties then presumably you could have chosen not to copy that part of protonmail's privacy policy.

I am not a lawyer and don't know how wide "3rd parties" can refer to. Is my cloud provider a 3rd party? If there is a lawyer here who can advise that it is safe to do I will remove it

Probably shouldn't be running a public service with a privacy policy and no lawyer.

Re: My app just got removed with no prior warning

#47

Post by overgard » Thu, Jul 15, 2021, 1:51 PM UTC

> 2) App stores have reached a size that can now be considered a "para-web". The 2 companies that police them (Google and Apple) don't have the resources to offer a solid experience for neither users nor developers.

Of course they have the resources, it would just cut into their margin. This is a case where I think only regulatory action works; either that or app stores need to take a back seat rather than being a primary part of the os.

If you think about the amount of control that an app store affords you, I think most of these companies would be happy to run an app store even at a loss. What I don't think is reasonable is the amount of anti-competitive leverage it gives them. I don't think it's in any sense safe to start a business that depends on these platforms, even if it can work most of the time. I think that's a case where regulation really is reasonable.

Re: My app just got removed with no prior warning

#48

Post by collaborative » Thu, Jul 15, 2021, 1:51 PM UTC

gallego2007 wrote: post #14

Was the Privacy Policy linked on the Play Store listing description as well? IIRC, there was a recent change in the last 12 months or so to require a link to the privacy policy on the listing. You should be able to file an appeal and get it reinstated using this form: https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answ...

Yes, it was

I will wait for the re-submission to go through (up to 7 days) before I file an appeal. I know it's crazy long but better to follow due process

Re: My app just got removed with no prior warning

#49

Post by throwaway7721 » Thu, Jul 15, 2021, 1:51 PM UTC

phdelightful wrote: post #7

The author should consider removing their blog from the Google-owned property they are currently using, lest it also get removed with no prior warning.

> The author should consider removing their blog from the Google-owned property they are currently using, lest it also get removed with no prior warning.

I don't think Google has a reputation for deleting critical blog posts -- can you reference any stories?

Don't get me wrong, there are many reasons to host your own blog. But fear that Google will remove content critical of Google seems pretty far fetched to me.

On topic: It seems unfortunate that there is no grace period for the developer to resolve a minor issue like missing links to a privacy policy.

disclaimer: I work for Google (on something unrelated).

Re: My app just got removed with no prior warning

#50

Post by iicc » Thu, Jul 15, 2021, 1:54 PM UTC

px43 wrote: post #20

Are we expected to sympathize with an app that's siphoning off sensitive user data from phones without informing the user? Seems shady. Your main website says: * Data is never kept online * No ads, no affiliate marketers, and no creepy tracking * No phone number is required; No need to share your phone book. Only need an email address (can be masked) But your privacy policy says: * For a better experience while using…

It also doesn't say who the agreement is with. It says it's a company, but there's no company number or registered address.

In the UK (which is the claimed jurisdiction) this is a legal requirement for websites.