Google Play, the primary app distribution channel on Android devices, has booted the alternative social network Flote from its app store after Flote, in its words, refused to “conform to their idea of ‘community standards.’”
Flote, an crypto-enhanced social network which supports free speech, free trade, individual liberty, privacy, and security, said that Google has been threatening to remove the app for months and that Google wanted “multiple emails of content and accounts” removed. It added that one of the accounts Google wanted Flote to remove was a porn account and another was a current events account, neither of which were breaking any of Flote’s rules.
While both the Google Play Store and Apple’s App Store have rules that ban apps that serve adult content, this rule is enforced selectively and larger apps, such as Twitter and Reddit, get a pass.
“At Flote we believe we have our own community standards… that you as individuals are not only capable but also responsible for what you say and for what you read,” Flote said in its response to the Google Play Store ban. “We trust you to make your own decisions to, for example, consume adult material or express your political views, without the constant threat of running afoul of some arbitrary and ever-changing set of rules made up by people you don’t even know.”
According to Flote, the removal of the app will not only mean that it’s no longer available in the Google Play Store but that previously installed versions of the app will also stop working.
Flote’s Android app can still be installed directly via Flote’s Android Application Package (APK) or accessed via an Android web browser. Flote also plans to add its app to the free and open-source Android app repository F-Droid.
“We understand this is not ideal for members accustomed to using the Android app and apologize for this disruption but we strongly believe that your freedom to express yourself is more valuable than the convenience that will be lost,” Flote said.
“Furthermore, we encourage you to voice your opinions about big-tech censorship and the general weakening of public discourse that’s resulting from it in whatever manner you see fit by joining us at Flote.app.”
Flote’s Chief Technology Officer, Patrick Smith, added: “We didn’t bend the knee to Google. @floteofficial has been removed from their app store. This will either be the end game or just the beginning for us. Which way it goes is up to you. Do you want a place to truly associate freely absent religious and political dogma? Lets go!”
Google’s decision to ban Flote is the latest of many examples of the tech giant banning alternative apps from its popular app store. The alternative social networks Parler and Gab, and the alternative video sharing platform BitChute are some of the many apps that have been booted from the Google Play Store.
In addition to banning apps, Google often forces popular apps, such as the messaging app Telegram and the non-fungible tokens (NFT) marketplace OpenSea, to restrict or block in-app content.
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Reclaim The Net is a free speech and online privacy organization that defends our individual liberty by pushing back against big tech and media gatekeepers. Much of their work focuses on exposing digital tyrants and promoting free speech and privacy-friendly alternative online services. Visit reclaimthenet.org