Google removes open source apps from Play Store for including website links

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Language Transfer is an open source language learning Android app. Recently, the developer of the app submitted a PR on GitHub stating that it was removed from the Google Play Store because the app contained a direct link to a website (https://www.languagetransfer.org/). Therefore, the purpose of submitting this PR is to remove all content in the app that links to the website.

According to the developer, Language Transfer is a small project maintained by one person, operating entirely on donations, and without the support of a non-profit organization. Google Play Store's commission policy exempts non-profit organizations, but for small donation projects like Language Transfer, Google still hopes to extract a 15% commission.

The Language Transfer app once included a donation link, which was rejected when it was launched. In order to meet Google's requirements, Language Transfer had already replaced the donation link in the app with a direct link to the website a long time ago, and Google accepted its practice, so there is no copy about donating or donating to the project in the app.

However, just recently, Google suddenly removed Language Transfer from the Play Store without any notice to developers, and provided the following screenshots:

Google responded that the reason for the removal was that Language Transfer contained content that violated the payment policy because the app provided a direct link to the website, and the website link contained a donation link, and users could donate to the developer by visiting the website. In Google's view, this behavior is not allowed. But as mentioned earlier, the website link was provided when the app was launched, and Google agreed to this practice, so it was allowed to be launched.

Google's approach has drawn criticism from many developers, who have also provided many suggestions to the developers of Language Transfer, such as contacting regulators to investigate Google's abuse of its market dominance, listing the app on the more free F-Droid or other Play Store alternatives, or registering the app under some "empty shell" non-profit organizations.

But just yesterday, Google suddenly restored Language Transfer from the Play Store.

This article is reproduced from OSCHINA

Title of this article: Google removes open source apps from Play Store due to website links

Article URL: https://www.oschina.net/news/155607/foss-app-removed-from-the-play-store