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@organicmaps@fosstodon.org

Post #1161658

2024-08-17 08:00 UTC

Last night Organic Maps was removed from the Play Store without any warnings or additional details due to "not meeting the requirements for the Family Program". Compared to Google Maps and other maps apps rated for 3+ age, there are no ads or in-app purchases, and no user information is collected in Organic Maps. We have asked for an appeal. As a temporary workaround you can install the upcoming Google Play update from this link: https://cdn.organicmaps.app/apk/OrganicMaps-24081605-GooglePlay.apk This APK should work with Android Auto.

Replies (16)

  • @hellenicsun@toot.community 2024-08-17 08:05

    @organicmaps@fosstodon.org I'm really interested in reading their response - assuming they'll provide one and you can publish. But, Google being Google and since they have stepped up their game in the ad (..and cloud) business by pushing forward with their AI features (story for another day) maybe they're after this 1 mil (at least) of your user-base.

    Open ##3200773

  • @jakobbak@mastodon.social 2024-08-17 08:05

    @organicmaps@fosstodon.org your post starts with “That night”. Was it “last night”?

    Open ##3200785

  • @nictakiego@mastodon.com.pl 2024-08-17 08:06

    @organicmaps@fosstodon.org shame on this monopolist...

    Open ##3200791

  • @mdione@en.osm.town 2024-08-17 08:06

    @organicmaps@fosstodon.org "Last night"?

    Open ##3200792

  • @organicmaps@fosstodon.org Congratulations! Organic Maps has become so successful that Google is scared. This is a Milestone!!

    Open ##3200798

  • @nickelson@fosstodon.org 2024-08-17 08:16

    @organicmaps@fosstodon.org wtf? How can be a map app "inappropriate for children"? 🙃

    Open ##3200801

  • @eq@social.noleron.com 2024-08-17 08:20

    @organicmaps@fosstodon.org I literally uninstalled google maps yesterday :neofox_shy:

    Open ##3200807

  • @organicmaps@fosstodon.org In the meantime I can see your app is still available on F-Droid. Which privacy-conscious Android users should always prefer over the Google Play Store whenever possible. #FDroid #Google #OrganicMaps @fdroidorg@floss.social

    Open ##3200810

  • @pbb@mastodon.online 2024-08-17 08:22

    @organicmaps@fosstodon.org Does Organic Maps show any of these for example? https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Tag:shop%3Derotic

    Open ##3200823

  • @organicmaps@fosstodon.org I had to make my app for 12+ year olds, because I have a cartoon picture of a bomb in mine (similar to those in Mario Kart), without even an exploding animation or so (doesn't really matter because it's for a family board game and the parents or so can just install it but still)... Google wouldn't approve my wear OS app because the description only mentions "companion app for smartwatches" and not "Wear OS"... Now google refuses to accept a Wear OS update because I didn't upload screenshots (for the handful of people who actually would wanna use it on a watch - I just made it for watches to get some dev skills)... Google is really stupidly strict and they just refuse to cooperate often.

    Open ##3200824

  • @organicmaps@fosstodon.org At this point, I am increasingly convinced that someone in the Google senior leadership team is actively trying to lose antitrust lawsuits.

    Open ##3200825

  • @rockpick@mastodon.social 2024-08-17 08:31

    @organicmaps@fosstodon.org Maybe they can't fathom that you can provide a service without collecting data and aggressive ad targeting...

    Open ##3200826

  • @lionelb@expressional.social 2024-08-17 08:32

    @organicmaps@fosstodon.org You are not rapacious capitalists. So you are out.

    Open ##3200827

  • @adelgado@eu.mastodon.green 2024-08-17 08:32

    @organicmaps@fosstodon.org so, according to Google, you can't advice kids on sex. So no sex education until you are 18?!?!?!?! Spanish Inquisition would approve this

    Open ##3200828

  • @toriver@mas.to 2024-08-17 08:45

    @organicmaps@fosstodon.org if you show no ads you are doing the Google wrong. The A in Android stands for «ads»

    Open ##3200830

  • @bnijbakker@mastodon.social 2024-08-17 08:53

    @organicmaps@fosstodon.org This is insane! Wonder about their reply too. I'd like to point out, that this also means Google is effectively stopping us from using OM with Android Auto. In a previous thread (https://mastodon.social/@bnijbakker/112934005939203171), it was pointed out that only apps from the Play Store, signed by Google, are allowed to be used with AA. This means we're now unable to receive updates for OM while continuing to be able to use AA. Great to see Google's monopoly still thriving! (not)

    Open ##3200831