Google suspends podcast app for having podcasts about covid-19

[hui]

Source: 

 

It's a great podcast app that I've been using for the past 3 years and it saddens me to say that it's gotten removed for content that is beyond the app's control. As the author of the tweet says, the same podcasts exist on Google's own podcast app. Posting here so it may get some attention, and hopefully get the issue resolved for the sole developer of this app. 

[Ashley MLP Fangirl]

google is evil

[Murasaki]

Trying to limit conversations about a topic thats on a global scale. "Worth a shot" - Google, 2020

[Applefreak]

In general I don't like it when this happens to free stuff but in this case the app was or is not free. It is ad supported, and given the number of downloads and active installs I'd bet he or she made a lot of money off it too.

Also there are other places to upload the app but I am guessing none with a similar ad payment system in place.

[Curious Pineapple]

Many platforms are cracking down on corona based content due to the shear amount of misinformation being spread around like a roomba running over a dog turd.

[hui]

41 minutes ago, Applefreak said:

In general I don't like it when this happens to free stuff but in this case the app was or is not free. It is ad supported, and given the number of downloads and active installs I'd bet he or she made a lot of money off it too.

Also there are other places to upload the app but I am guessing none with a similar ad payment system in place.

The app is free, with a paid version to get rid of the ads. The number of downloads are irrelevant, especially since the app has been on the store for ages (and Google's solution to this to submit a new app with a new app name and package name (source: https://twitter.com/PodcastAddict/status/1261671685477941253?s=20) ) and the same podcasts are available on Google's podcast app. 

[Applefreak]

Yes, I get the point and I strongly disagree with Google's behaviour but I also know that within a state of emergency certain rules and laws don't apply especially when it comes to harsh actions like that. It clearly was wrong to do so but I can understand the primitive, simple minded, solution of sinking a ship instead of fixing the leak to get rid of the problem wihtout having to get your hands wet. It's just how many things are done these days. Prosecuting before gathering evidence, kind of the new norm these days when it comes to dealing with all things digital.

[Suika]

Apparently developer blatantly violated one of Google's policies, so I'm inclined to think there's a bit more to the story that isn't being shared. My suspicion is that there was an incredibly conspiratorial podcast(s) that violated Google's policies, the developer refused to act, arguing some sort of "Internet freedom" to spread mis/disinformation, so Google resorted to suspending the application.

 

That said, Google is a giant, slow moving corporation that could make a lot of mistakes. My suspicions could very easily be incorrect based on Google's inability to moderate their other platforms.

[Curious Pineapple]

6 minutes ago, Suika said:

Apparently developer blatantly violated one of Google's policies, so I'm inclined to think there's a bit more to the story that isn't being shared. My suspicion is that there was an incredibly conspiratorial podcast(s) that violated Google's policies, the developer refused to act, arguing some sort of "Internet freedom" to spread mis/disinformation, so Google resorted to suspending the application.

 

That said, Google is a giant, slow moving corporation that could make a lot of mistakes. My suspicions could very easily be incorrect based on Google's inability to moderate their other platforms.

Along the lines on mentioning covid-19 in the application title or assembly name I think.

[NumLock21]

People can't be shelter forever, they need to face reality. Censoring podcast about Covid19 will not make the virus go away.  Google can however censor podcast about covid19 that are spreading conspiring theories and misinformation. Anything else such as facts, they need to let everyone know, so we all can gain some knowledge about it.

Man if Google existed back when AIDS first appear, them censoring this and that "to protect", we will most likely as of today, will not have any meds for the AIDS virus, and people won't know how to protect themselves from getting infected.

[Suika]

1 minute ago, Curious Pineapple said:

Along the lines on mentioning covid-19 in the application title or assembly name I think.

The tweet put out by Podcast Addict suggests that it was for having podcasts featuring discussion of covid-19, not that it had anything to do with the app itself. Even the official policy cited by Google as having been violated suggests the developer had been doing something more severe than just mentioning the virus, which is why I don't trust the story.