Google has removed the ‘Remove China Apps’ that gained popularity as it uninstalls Chinese apps such as TikTok, Helo and ShareIt, and Mitron app from Google Play Store for policy violations. The company had also removed Mobikwik earlier.
While Google clarified the reasons behind removing a “number of apps”, it did not name the apps which were taken down from Play Store.
“Earlier this week, we removed a video app for a number of technical policy violations. We have an established process of working with developers to help them fix issues and resubmit their apps. We’ve given this developer some guidance and once they’ve addressed the issue, the app can go back up on Play,” Sameer Samat, Vice President (Android and Google Play) at Google said in a blogpost.
“We also recently suspended a number of apps for violating the policy that we don't allow an app that ‘encourages or incentivises users into removing or disabling third-party apps or modifying device settings or features unless it is part of a verifiable security service’. This is a longstanding rule designed to ensure a healthy, competitive environment where developers can succeed based upon design and innovation,” he said.
“When apps are allowed to specifically target other apps, it can lead to behaviour that we believe is not in the best interest of our community of developers and consumers. We’ve enforced this policy against other apps in many countries consistently in the past - just as we did here,” Samat added.
The Jaipur-based developer of the Remove China Apps -- OneTouchAppLabs -- confirmed on Twitter that the app was removed. It debuted on Google Play store on May 17 and was downloaded over 50 lakh times.
The app, which scans the user’s device and lists the apps with China as their origin, lets users decide whether they want to keep or delete applications that are developed in China.
Mitron app, the Indian alternative for TikTok, had over 5 million downloads.
On May 28, Mobikwik CEO Bipin Preet Singh (@BipinSingh) took to Twitter to inform that Google Play has removed the app.
“Hey @GoogleIndia @GooglePlay you removed @MobiKwik app from play store because we had a link to Aarogya Setu app. We were asked to do this by regulators (@RBI) and understand it’s in public health interest. You have too much power!”
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The coronavirus crisis has changed the world completely in the last few months. All of us have been locked into our homes, economic activity has come to a near standstill. Everyone has been impacted.
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Google confirms removing apps for policy violations
The search giant will allow all GSuite users with Google Voice licences to make voice calls through their Gmail - REUTERS
The search giant will allow all GSuite users with Google Voice licences to make voice calls through their Gmail - REUTERS
Google has removed the ‘Remove China Apps’ that gained popularity as it uninstalls Chinese apps such as TikTok, Helo and ShareIt, and Mitron app from Google Play Store for policy violations. The company had also removed Mobikwik earlier.
While Google clarified the reasons behind removing a “number of apps”, it did not name the apps which were taken down from Play Store.
“Earlier this week, we removed a video app for a number of technical policy violations. We have an established process of working with developers to help them fix issues and resubmit their apps. We’ve given this developer some guidance and once they’ve addressed the issue, the app can go back up on Play,” Sameer Samat, Vice President (Android and Google Play) at Google said in a blogpost.
“We also recently suspended a number of apps for violating the policy that we don't allow an app that ‘encourages or incentivises users into removing or disabling third-party apps or modifying device settings or features unless it is part of a verifiable security service’. This is a longstanding rule designed to ensure a healthy, competitive environment where developers can succeed based upon design and innovation,” he said.
“When apps are allowed to specifically target other apps, it can lead to behaviour that we believe is not in the best interest of our community of developers and consumers. We’ve enforced this policy against other apps in many countries consistently in the past - just as we did here,” Samat added.
The Jaipur-based developer of the Remove China Apps -- OneTouchAppLabs -- confirmed on Twitter that the app was removed. It debuted on Google Play store on May 17 and was downloaded over 50 lakh times.
The app, which scans the user’s device and lists the apps with China as their origin, lets users decide whether they want to keep or delete applications that are developed in China.
Mitron app, the Indian alternative for TikTok, had over 5 million downloads.
On May 28, Mobikwik CEO Bipin Preet Singh (@BipinSingh) took to Twitter to inform that Google Play has removed the app.
“Hey @GoogleIndia @GooglePlay you removed @MobiKwik app from play store because we had a link to Aarogya Setu app. We were asked to do this by regulators (@RBI) and understand it’s in public health interest. You have too much power!”
A letter from the Editor
Dear Readers,
The coronavirus crisis has changed the world completely in the last few months. All of us have been locked into our homes, economic activity has come to a near standstill. Everyone has been impacted.
Including your favourite business and financial newspaper. Our printing and distribution chains have been severely disrupted across the country, leaving readers without access to newspapers. Newspaper delivery agents have also been unable to service their customers because of multiple restrictions.
In these difficult times, we, at BusinessLine have been working continuously every day so that you are informed about all the developments – whether on the pandemic, on policy responses, or the impact on the world of business and finance. Our team has been working round the clock to keep track of developments so that you – the reader – gets accurate information and actionable insights so that you can protect your jobs, businesses, finances and investments.
We are trying our best to ensure the newspaper reaches your hands every day. We have also ensured that even if your paper is not delivered, you can access BusinessLine in the e-paper format – just as it appears in print. Our website and apps too, are updated every minute, so that you can access the information you want anywhere, anytime.
But all this comes at a heavy cost. As you are aware, the lockdowns have wiped out almost all our entire revenue stream. Sustaining our quality journalism has become extremely challenging. That we have managed so far is thanks to your support. I thank all our subscribers – print and digital – for your support.
I appeal to all or readers to help us navigate these challenging times and help sustain one of the truly independent and credible voices in the world of Indian journalism. Doing so is easy. You can help us enormously simply by subscribing to our digital or e-paper editions. We offer several affordable subscription plans for our website, which includes Portfolio, our investment advisory section that offers rich investment advice from our highly qualified, in-house Research Bureau, the only such team in the Indian newspaper industry.
A little help from you can make a huge difference to the cause of quality journalism!
Support Quality JournalismSHARE