Even after enforcing a strict submission policy, Apple’s had its fair share of absurd apps banned from the App Store. Google on the other hand has adhered to a more neutral approach by promoting its Android platform as an open-source community that welcomes aspiring developers to create innovative and fresh new programs. But just because the terms of service for Google Play remain far more lenient than the competition doesn't mean the search giant hasn't found itself dropping the ban hammer on a number of suspicious applications time and again.
Just recently, the company withdrew the racist Make me Asian app from its virtual store, causing a stir over its flawed regulations. But that's not the only instance. Here's a list of 10 Controversial Apps Removed From Google Play.
Related: The 25 Most Ridiculous Banned iPhone Apps
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Even after enforcing a strict submission policy, Apple’s had its fair share of absurd apps banned from the App Store. Google on the other hand has adhered to a more neutral approach by promoting its Android platform as an open-source community that welcomes aspiring developers to create innovative and fresh new programs. But just because the terms of service for Google Play remain far more lenient than the competition doesn't mean the search giant hasn't found itself dropping the ban hammer on a number of suspicious applications time and again.
Just recently, the company withdrew the racist Make me Asian app from its virtual store, causing a stir over its flawed regulations. But that's not the only instance. Here's a list of 10 Controversial Apps Removed From Google Play.
Related: The 25 Most Ridiculous Banned iPhone Apps
LIKE COMPLEX TECH ON FACEBOOK
EasyRoot
Date removed: Aug. 9, 2010
Android rooting wasn't so simple to accomplish a few years back, but Motorola Droid and Droid X owners lucked out by scoring access to this one-click rooting program, which allowed them to perform a number of UI customizations. Though Google opened the lane for aspiring developers to experiment with its OS, the company never came out saying it condoned rooting. So it removed EasyRoot without offering any official reason.
Secret SMS Replicator
Date Removed: Nov. 1, 2010
The spying app gave jilted lovers and scorned exes a way to infiltrate incoming text messages from their intended targets. In order to achieve this they would install the software onto a victim’s smartphone, where it would run unnoticed in the background and forward messages to the stalker’s number. Privacy concerns led to its boot from the Android Market, but Secret SMS Replicator remains on the mobile black market for the asking price of $19/month
PSX4droid
Date removed: March 30, 2011
Since its inception, Google's digital application distribution platform has been flooded with gaming ROMs. But that didn't stop the company from making an example out of the PSX4droid, pulling the PSOne emulator from its app store for committing a "content policy violation." Experts say the true reason for the removal was the upcoming announcement of the Sony Xperia Play: a smartphone which could play classic PSOne games that were available for purchase.
SpoofApp
Date issued: July 11, 2011
The caller ID application protected the identity of callers and made for the perfect prank call tool. However, the fun was short-lived as The Truth in Caller ID Act of 2009 determined "applications that are designed to spoof Caller ID are illegal.” SpoofApp met its demise shortly after.
Is My Son Gay?
Date removed: Oct. 3, 2011
Creator Christophe de Baran said he "developed the program in part to help promote an upcoming comedic novel, also titled Is My Son Gay? which treats 'difficult moments for families to go through, such as coming out' with 'fun and humor.’” Despite also mentioning he was openly gay, advocacy groups bombarded Google with complaints about the app being offensive and launched a Twitter campaign to have it abolished from the Android Market. Baran took the L.
Retro Olympics
Date removed: July 23, 2012
Grooveshark
Date removed: Aug. 31, 2012
If there was ever an award given for the mobile app that's been removed and brought back the most, Grooveshark would the clear winner. Lawsuits against the music program from record companies, along with legal threats directed towards Google, led to its banishment from the app store. But according to CNET, a Grooveshark rep told the publication that it had “filed a counter-notice and is working with Google and their Google Play reinstatement process to get the app back in the market.” The app did return for a brief stint and was inconspicuously removed weeks later.
Siri For Android
Date removed: Jan. 3, 2012
A knockoff version of Apple’s virtual assistance software made its way onto Google Play, leaving Google no other option but to remove the app and set a permanent ban on the developer. Considering how awful the manufacturer’s voice-recognition software was at the time, it’s pretty hilarious to hear how thousands of Android users were duped into downloading the fake program thinking it was the real deal.
Zenkoku Denwacho
Date removed: Oct. 10, 2012
Translated as Nationwide Telephone Directory, this Japanese app was a free download that served as a database for names, phone numbers, and location info for private civilians and businesses. A security breach led to over 760,000 personal addresses being leaked. Japanese security firm NetAgent claiming the program was "malicious" software that stole information from users.
Make Me Asian
Date issued: Jan. 18, 2013
Could this app get anyymore racist? A face-morphing app that encourages users to embrace Asian stereotypes such as donning conical straw hats and a Fu Manchu mustache. Yes, app developer Kimbery Deiss took it there and to a whole 'nother level of bigotry after launching other spin-off apps based on African Americans, Jews, and Indians. After spending two months on Google Play, a Twitter campaign with the hashtag #makemeracist and an online petition started on Change.org for Google to remove it from its store.
