Google AI: Works Like a Champ
May 30, 2022
Google claims its Play Store allows users to download apps that are not exclusive to its software and systems, unlike the Apple App Store. Play Store detractors say Google makes it hard to locate apps outside the Play Store and that a “warning” alerts users when they are downloading software not housed in the store. The warning makes it seem the software is dangerous. Google kills competition and the Android Police shares the story of another victim: “Google’s Automated Play Store Enforcement Just Killed A Popular Open Source App.”
Because the Play Store needs to monitor the good apps from the bad, Google automated the process. Google’s monitoring algorithm deletes most of the bad apps from its platform, but sometimes innocent apps are removed too. Developers are rarely granted appeals and Google never explains how developers can prevent banning. FairMail, the popular open source Gmail alternative, was recently banned from the Play Store. FairMail’s developer decided to stop uploading his apps, because he is sick and tired of dealing with Google.
Google’s Play Store monitoring algorithm thought FairMail was spyware:
“…Google recently flagged FairEmail as spyware because it is presumably uploading contact lists from phones, with Google supposedly giving out no details as to what exactly the problem is. Developer M66B, as he calls himself on the XDA Forums and Github, believes that the Play Store could take issue with FairEmail’s automated favicon service, which only uses the domain info from email addresses to create fitting icons for senders and addressees. However, based on previous comments in the XDA thread, it’s clear that the developer tried to add optional Gravatar and Libravatar integration in earlier versions of the app that Google did not accept. Both services are uploading email addresses to their servers in order to match them with existing profile pictures attached to these email addresses, so the use of these would have to be indicated in the app’s privacy policy. From what we can gather, this never happened.”
Google is not clearly explaining why FreeMail was removed. It states that FreeMail did not have a privacy policy, however, it did. The privacy policy did not specifically mention Gravatar and Libravatar. Google only issues blanket statements to developers over app removal, but the company needs to have better communication with developers. Most of FreeMail’s downloads came from the Play Store that used to host the paid pro version. FreeMail’s developer does not want to work with Google anymore, cited personal problems, and lack of appreciation for his work as another reason why they are quitting. FreeMail is still available on Github and F-Droid, but the Play Store version should continue to work.
Whitney Grace, May 30, 2022
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