Google permanently bans popular application from Play for not using IAP • Hacker News Board

Re: Google permanently bans popular application from Play for not using IAP

#211

Post by icebraining » Mon, Feb 03, 2014, 4:15 PM UTC

alextingle wrote: post #190

icebraining wrote: post #183

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"Regulation" is a general term, and meaningless in this case. What rules exactly would you like to see imposed? Should Google have to allow every payment processor? What if some are scammers? Is Google responsible to blocking them? What oversight should exist to ensure they don't "unfairly" block some? I'm not fundamentally opposed to regulations, but I really dislike it when people throw around the term as if it was…

I'm not really prescribing a solution, just identifying a class of problem. However, that said, here's an idea: I'd like to see Google forced to provide a minimum level of support to their customers and suppliers. For example, if they decide to cut someone off (as in this case) then they must explain their decision with a certain minimum level of detail. I'd also like to see a formal appeals system, possibly with an…

I'm not really prescribing a solution, just identifying a class of problem.

When you say that regulation is needed, you are prescribing a solution.

WRT to your proposal, how would that help in this case? The developer would just pay the fee, and Google would tell them "you broke the 'Google Play Developer Program Policies' agreement, which says you can't use third-party payment providers".

In fact, the developer says Google gave the official reason, so what would be the purpose of paying to get the same answer?

Re: Google permanently bans popular application from Play for not using IAP

#212

Post by icebraining » Mon, Feb 03, 2014, 4:17 PM UTC

st0neage wrote: post #187

icebraining wrote: post #114

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The Internet Explorer bundling was only illegal because Microsoft was abusing one monopoly (Windows) to kill the competition in another market (Browsers). Android doesn't have a monopoly on the smartphone market, so they are far from having a monopoly on App Stores. A developer has alternatives to publish his or her apps.

>>far from having a monopoly on App Stores Google has a (quasi-) monopoly on android app stores. Overall marketshare of android is irrelevant.

No, it's not irrelevant. It's not illegal to have a monopoly. It's only illegal to try to kill the competition in another market by abusing that monopoly, which is what Microsoft did, and Google is not doing.

Re: Google permanently bans popular application from Play for not using IAP

#213

Post by forgottenpass » Mon, Feb 03, 2014, 4:17 PM UTC

k-mcgrady wrote: post #45

st0neage wrote: post #30

Official app stores are quasi-monopolies and need government control. Think about all the time and work the developer has invested. And can't be possible for google to effectively keep him from selling the app just because they feel like it. If they have an app distribution monopoly, developers have a right to publish their app there. It is not a favor google grants. This is something laws have to enforce as companie…

>> "Official app stores are quasi-monopolies and need government control." They aren't and they don't. They are a store like any other and the store owner can decide not to sell your products without a good reason if they want to. On Android there are several alternative stores (most notably Amazon) not to mention apps can be installed directly by downloading the APK without any device modification. >> "Think about a…

They are a store like any other and the store owner can decide not to sell your products without a good reason if they want to.

Regardless of if you're OK with this practice or not, it's quite dishonest not to acknowledge their strong vertical integration makes them not at all "a store like any other."

Re: Google permanently bans popular application from Play for not using IAP

#214

Post by tszming » Mon, Feb 03, 2014, 4:23 PM UTC

There is an exemption according to the terms [1]:

" ..must use Google Play's in-app billing service as the method of payment, except: where payment is for digital content or goods that may be consumed outside of the app itself (e.g., buying songs that can be played on other music players)."

[1] http://play.google.com/about/developer-content-policy.html

So I guess why apps like whatsapp/skype still alive since they allow you to use them outside of the android app.

Re: Google permanently bans popular application from Play for not using IAP

#215

Post by d0ugie » Mon, Feb 03, 2014, 4:24 PM UTC

If I may defend Google here (and presume to know the actual reason they banned this app), note that the media has been fueling legitimate fears of burglars and perverted hackers spying on everyone's webcams and baby monitors.

The app's description promised to enable users to "just spy the world" and "discover nearby webcams." Some of the app's user reviews may have been colorful, incendiary or implying having used the app successfully for something shady or illegal. The app's Google Play google cache: http://goo.gl/m07kMp

In Google's shoes, wouldn't that description alone be enough for you to zap this?

Re: Google permanently bans popular application from Play for not using IAP

#216

Post by lstamour » Mon, Feb 03, 2014, 4:26 PM UTC

almata wrote: post #171

damiongrimfield wrote: post #145

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Google: 32 countries Where did you get this info? I'm not doubting you; I just find it crazy that they have offices in over 40 countries[1], but only allow app submissions from developers in 32 countries. [1]: http://www.google.com/about/company/facts/locations

Sligthly related to the part you find crazy, Google has their main European HQ in Ireland, basically because of the very low corporate taxes here, but guess what? It's impossible to buy a Nexus on Google Play from Ireland. If you try you get this message: -- Sorry! Devices on Google Play is not available in your country yet. We're working to bring devices to more countries as quickly as possible. Please check back ag…

Tell me about it. Or they do silly things like release sub-par Chromebooks to the Canadian market every other release, with the Canadian multilingual keyboard layouts nobody likes (because of the short enter key), and I have to ship and forward US models to get decent devices with the non-standard yet US english layout I want. (I say non-standard because they already changed the control key and caps lock, so they could care about localizing the keyboard improvements to other layouts, but they don't. Apple does.) Of course, I suppose I've the "advantage" of living so close to the US (2 hours drive) that I can go and pick up the latest devices from a US shipping address. But I shouldn't have to.

Re: Google permanently bans popular application from Play for not using IAP

#217

Post by natch » Mon, Feb 03, 2014, 4:28 PM UTC

danmaz74 wrote: post #55

lucaspiller wrote: post #17

The relevant part of the Developer Distribution Agreement appears to be 3.3: "Such free trials for Products are encouraged. However, if you want to collect fees after the free trial expires, you must collect all fees for the full version of the Product through the Payment Processor on the Market." http://play.google.com/about/developer-distribution-agreemen...

Who is downvoting a comment which merely points to a fact?

A fact which completely misses the point... maybe it's time to re-read the fine article.

Re: Google permanently bans popular application from Play for not using IAP

#218

Post by bradyd » Mon, Feb 03, 2014, 4:29 PM UTC

einhverfr wrote: post #163

alextingle wrote: post #146

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's sad to see them go from "Do no Evil" to "Pray we don't alter the deal any further" in just a few short years.

Dude, it you check out http://www.google.com/ideas/ , they are looking a bit like a defence contractor these days.

Well, they did by Boston Dynamics, so they actually are a defense contractor now.

Re: Google permanently bans popular application from Play for not using IAP

#219

Post by Navarr » Mon, Feb 03, 2014, 4:29 PM UTC

Linkbaiting title. "Google removes application from Play store for using out-of-app Payment instead of IAP"

Re: Google permanently bans popular application from Play for not using IAP

#220

Post by LoganCale » Mon, Feb 03, 2014, 4:30 PM UTC

ishansharma wrote: post #13

josteink wrote: post #4

TLDR: Application banned for not using a Google-blessed payment option which Google has not enabled for the country in which the developer actually lives. In that case I guess the only other option is going completely free? How many developers will be willing to accept that position? Do Google really think they can create a thriving ecosystem and market if they start throwing around inconsistent and conflicting rules…

The main problem with Google is their lack of customer care. I had my Adsense account rejected a few years back for no reason (there was no bad activity) and when I appealed, their response was the same "We have reviewed your appeal and can't do anything about it."

Same. The closest to any sort of answer I was able to get was something suggesting the clicks from my site's visitors weren't profitable enough for them therefore I'm permanently banned from ever putting AdSense ads on that or any other site I may make in the future.