TorrentFreak is reporting that Google has removed several Pirate Bay apps from the Play Store today after strong pressure from copyright holders. Google sent an email to a handful of developers, informing them that their apps were being removed from the Play Store. The email explains why the apps were removed, citing violation of the intellectual property portion of the Google Play Store Content Policy.
“REASON FOR REMOVAL: Violation of the intellectual property and impersonation or deceptive behavior provisions of the Content Policy. Please refer to the IP infringement and impersonation policy help article for more information.”
The apps removed include The Pirate Bay Proxy, The Pirate Bay Premium, The Pirate Bay Mirror, and PirateApp…
These apps all relate to offering a mobile optimized version of The Pirate Bay and in some instances even use proxy sites to get around ISP restrictions.
Developers who had their apps removed are also receiving a “policy strike” for their violations. Receiving too many of these “strikes” can lead to the termination of developer accounts. The apps removed today were done so unexpectedly and without warning for developers. No takedown notice was sent, nor were developers given an opportunity to adjust their apps to accommodate the Content Policy. Several developers have already filed an appeal.
Today’s app removals fit Google’s recent trend of complying with copyright holders. For example, the company recently reworked its Search algorithm to downrank sites that often provide or link to copyright infringing material.
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