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Google has updated its Play Store developer policies to ban several more categories of apps, including cryptocurrency mining ones and apps with disruptive ads, as reported by Android Police.
When it comes to cryptocurrency apps, Google says mining apps are now prohibited, but apps that “remotely manage the mining of cryptocurrency” are still permitted. Apple recently banned apps that mine cryptocurrency, stating that, “the only cryptocurrency mining apps allowed are those that mine outside of the device, like cloud-based mining.”
Repetitive apps are now prohibited in the Google Play store. These are apps that mimic or provide the same experience as apps that already exist on the platform. Apps can be removed if they copy content from another app without adding anything new or unique, or if a developer makes multiple apps that have similar content and user experiences. Additionally, “apps that are created by an automated tool, wizard service, or based on templates and submitted to Google Play by the operator of that service on behalf of other persons are not allowed,” the company explains.
(Score: 2, Insightful) by schusselig on Saturday July 28 2018, @03:33AM (2 children)
I find this bit a little exciting:
Maybe it will kill off all these dweebs selling small businesses on the idea that they "need an app" that include location tracking and a multitude of additional sins for end user functionality that would be better served by a fucking website.
(Score: 2) by Unixnut on Saturday July 28 2018, @10:36AM (1 child)
It also means Google is granting monopolies to already established apps.
The way I understood it. You cannot make an app that does something another app already does, they use "the same experience" statement, which is so broad as to mean just about anything, from the way an app looks to what it does.
So if I make an instant messaging app a-la-whatsapp, can Google claim that provides the "same experience" (IM across accounts), and ban my app from the store?
How am I supposed to compete, unless of course I am already a rich and powerful corporation that can hire lawyers to protect me.
It seems like an excellent rule to lock out the app market to startups and small developers, and leave it only for established companies.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday July 30 2018, @05:37PM
exactly. this just enables them fine grained control over who can be on the platform. they can use this to control the app publishers. play ball or get replaced.