The rationale they gave is that hate speech appears on these apps, because some of the microblogging sites that can be accessed via Fediverse have this kind of content. Based on this rationale, I look forward to Google Play removing Chrome, Firefox, and all other web browsers from the store as well.
Google is apparently taking down all/most Fediverse apps from the Play Store
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Re: Google is apparently taking down all/most Fediverse apps from the Play Store
#22As if their assault on the open web wasn't already painfully obvious.
Re: Google is apparently taking down all/most Fediverse apps from the Play Store
#23Without getting into the details of this - yeah I disagree with it - but, Android allows side loading. Isn’t that what everyone wanted from Apple? On a higher level, what’s the problem and what should be changed? Google has a policy that people don’t like, Android can side load, isn’t that exactly what people want?
Sorry to go off-topic, but the entire existence of the word 'side-loading' is some 1984-level language manipulation. As if installing applications without getting the permission of some abstract corporate owner is the weird thing. No, having to get permission is the weird way to install things.
Re: Google is apparently taking down all/most Fediverse apps from the Play Store
#24My favorite app is Tusky and is still available from F-Droid [0]. I think Tusky will be fine since they block Gab and so they won't be affected by this ban.
[0] https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.keylesspalace.tusky/
Re: Google is apparently taking down all/most Fediverse apps from the Play Store
#25Without getting into the details of this - yeah I disagree with it - but, Android allows side loading. Isn’t that what everyone wanted from Apple? On a higher level, what’s the problem and what should be changed? Google has a policy that people don’t like, Android can side load, isn’t that exactly what people want?
Because the policy is unfairly applied.
There’s plenty of hate speech on Facebook, but their app remains. Chrome allows you to access sites with hate speech too, but it’s not going anywhere.
Re: Google is apparently taking down all/most Fediverse apps from the Play Store
#26Without getting into the details of this - yeah I disagree with it - but, Android allows side loading. Isn’t that what everyone wanted from Apple? On a higher level, what’s the problem and what should be changed? Google has a policy that people don’t like, Android can side load, isn’t that exactly what people want?
I think this is really interesting. You hit the nail. A lot of the discussions nowadays on app stores is about having the cake and eat it. The app store providers are doomed if they do and doomed if they don't. What I hear is: "I like your platform for reach, but I would like to use my own policy"
Re: Google is apparently taking down all/most Fediverse apps from the Play Store
#27Without getting into the details of this - yeah I disagree with it - but, Android allows side loading. Isn’t that what everyone wanted from Apple? On a higher level, what’s the problem and what should be changed? Google has a policy that people don’t like, Android can side load, isn’t that exactly what people want?
Google should be prohibited from pressuring device creators into not including other app stores and apps. While they do allow side loading, they still maintain an effective monopoly by making it difficult to use any other app store.
(Or at least that's the most reasonable argument/step that I've seen from an anti-trust perspective)
Re: Google is apparently taking down all/most Fediverse apps from the Play Store
#28Shouldn't this policy apply to all communication apps? Web, IRC, SMS, and even phone calls can connect you with a hate speech provider if you know the right address to dial.
This sets a dangerous precedent and highlights why we should continue removing Google/etc as dependencies in our lives.
Re: Google is apparently taking down all/most Fediverse apps from the Play Store
#29Without getting into the details of this - yeah I disagree with it - but, Android allows side loading. Isn’t that what everyone wanted from Apple? On a higher level, what’s the problem and what should be changed? Google has a policy that people don’t like, Android can side load, isn’t that exactly what people want?
> This is particularly worrisome because for most people Google Play is the only way they understand to install apps at all.
So this hurts discoverability and credability ("if it's not bad software, why isn't it allowed in the Google store like all the other apps?") of fediverse apps and networks.
Re: Google is apparently taking down all/most Fediverse apps from the Play Store
#30My favorite app is Tusky and is still available from F-Droid [0]. I think Tusky will be fine since they block Gab and so they won't be affected by this ban. [0] https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.keylesspalace.tusky/
As much as I hate Gab, I hate the possible extension of "unwanted content" especially considering Google's possible interests in China. I would not be surprised if next up to be removed are apps that allow access to instances that discuss the Uighurs or 天安门大屠杀 freely.