After having a great run in Google Play for a long time, Ad Blocking Android apps are now in trouble. Google has started removing several popular Ad blocking apps like AdBlock Plus, AdBlocker, AdAway and AdFree from Google Play recently.
Google Play team notified the developers of such apps via email regarding the removal. According to Google, such apps violate the section 4.4 of the Developer Distribution Agreement.
Here is the text of section of dev agreement in question:
4.4 Prohibited Actions.
You agree that you will not engage in any activity with the Market, including the development or distribution of Products, that interferes with, disrupts, damages, or accesses in an unauthorized manner the devices, servers, networks, or other properties or services of any third party including, but not limited to, Android users, Google or any mobile network operator. You may not use customer information obtained from the Market to sell or distribute Products outside of the Market.
The Android users, who currently have these apps installed, can continue to use them however as the apps are no longer in Google Play, they will not get updates. Some of the devs also let users to download the app APK files from their websites, so other consumers who wish to get Ad blocking apps for their Android devices can always get them.
What do you think about Google’s actions and was it right in removing ad blocking apps?
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