• Android adblock apps pulled from Play Store
    64 replies, posted
[url]http://techcrunch.com/2013/03/13/google-pulls-ad-blocking-apps-from-play-store-for-violating-developer-distribution-agreement/[/url] [quote]More than a few developers have worked to make web browsing and app use in Android as clean and ad-free as possible, but it seems their efforts haven’t made them any fans at Google. That displeasure was made clear today when a number of developers who have created and maintain ad-blocker apps found their wares unexpectedly (and unceremoniously) removed from the Google Play Store. It’s hard to say exactly how many apps have seen the business end of the banhammer so far, but at least four prominent programs — AdBlock Plus, AdBlocker, AdAway and AdFree — can no longer be downloaded from the search giant’s content market. Fortunately, this doesn’t mean that current users of AdBlock Plus, AdBlocker, AdAway and AdFree will have to stop using their beloved apps — it’s just that these developers can’t list them for download in the Google Play Store anymore. Granted, the Google Play Store is easily the most accessible way for prospective users to access these applications, but some devs have alternate methods of getting their apps out there. The folks at AdBlock Plus, for instance, host a downloadable .apk of its Android app on its website, while the developer of AdAway has made the app available in the F-Droid app repository.[/quote]
Why?
Also I don't feel like posting another thread for this but Andy Rubin, head of Android and the cofounder of Android Inc before it was bought by Google, [url=http://www.theverge.com/2013/3/13/4099450/andy-rubin-steps-down-as-head-of-android]stepped down today[/url]
[QUOTE=MasterFen007;39904975]Why?[/QUOTE] I'm guessing it's because ads are the only way to support free apps.
because money
[QUOTE=MasterFen007;39904975]Why?[/QUOTE] Because Google wants money. Having their adds blocked and not clicked on = no money
God forbid people don't want ads larger than their screen showing up on their game
also afaik 4.2.2 broke adblocking anyways so dunno why this is such a big deal now
Sure am glad I backed up my adfree android .apk when I had it on my old phone. They do realise that people can get it from other places though?
[QUOTE=Animosus;39905060]Sure am glad I backed up my adfree android .apk when I had it on my old phone. They do realise that people can get it from other places though?[/QUOTE] That's like the whole point of android
Since Google relies a lot on ads, it surprises me that it took them that long to remove them.
[QUOTE=smurfy;39905071]That's like the whole point of android[/QUOTE] Taking the apps off the play store isn't going to do much then, as someone who knows how to root will also know how to find these apps elsewhere online. Google should know this.
[QUOTE=LordCrypto;39905057]also afaik 4.2.2 broke adblocking anyways so dunno why this is such a big deal now[/QUOTE] They just used the hosts file for redirection, it will continue to work as long as android is based on linux plus it exists on windows and osx too, it's a very useful thing to have
I didnt know there was a adblocker on Google Play. Oh well not a lose for me.
Good on them tbh
I may get attacked for this, but I see no issue with this. The only reason I ever block ads on my computer is because I'm terrified of a drive-by virus being imbedded in one. If that wasn't an issue, I would have never installed one. I never used one on my phone because I saw no need. Unless drive-by malware is possible on Android devices, I just don't see any problem with them pulling it.
[QUOTE=mblunk;39905150]They just used the hosts file for redirection, it will continue to work as long as android is based on linux plus it exists on windows and osx too, it's a very useful thing to have[/QUOTE] some used proxy servers i thought w/e
[QUOTE=SuperDuperScoot;39905200]I may get attacked for this, but I see no issue with this. The only reason I ever block ads on my computer is because I'm terrified of a drive-by virus being imbedded in one. If that wasn't an issue, I would have never installed one. I never used one on my phone because I saw no need. Unless drive-by malware is possible on Android devices, I just don't see any problem with them pulling it.[/QUOTE] It really depends on the person. Seeing adverts all over the webpage/application I'm using pisses me off, hence why I block them.
[QUOTE=Crash15;39905048]God forbid people don't want ads larger than their screen showing up on their game[/QUOTE] Installed the free Angry Birds today, and an advert came up after every 2-3 bird launches that took up literally 1/2 of my phone's screen. Uninstalled 5 minutes later and won't be installing it again. Fuck Rovio don't you have enough money?
I usually block all adverts, except those from trusted websites or sites that ask for me to disable adblock on their site. It's only fair that the developers of your favourite sites should get a share.
[QUOTE=Noss;39905402]Installed the free Angry Birds today, and an advert came up after every 2-3 bird launches that took up literally 1/2 of my phone's screen. Uninstalled 5 minutes later and won't be installing it again. Fuck Rovio don't you have enough money?[/QUOTE] Wow, I have a dinky ass Android (HTC Aria) and the ads never took up THAT much room... The big ones usually had a close button anyways, and Angry Birds is not a game anyone needs much focus on so I never was annoyed by having to close them.
Getting viruses from ads is actually surprisingly common. It happens a lot on facebook.
[QUOTE=Animosus;39905106]Taking the apps off the play store isn't going to do much then, as someone who knows how to root will also know how to find these apps elsewhere online. Google should know this.[/QUOTE] Ummm you don't even need root to sideload apps
[QUOTE=Rika-chan;39905801]Ummm you don't even need root to sideload apps[/QUOTE] To use most adblock apps (From what I have seen) you need to have root access to use them, as they modify the hosts file.
[QUOTE=Rika-chan;39905801]Ummm you don't even need root to sideload apps[/QUOTE] Last I checked, ATT still disallowed sideloading.
[QUOTE=The golden;39905748]1) Ads are a massive security and privacy risk. 2) Many ads are large and obtrusive. Until these things are fixed then people will keep blocking your ads - regardless of the platform.[/QUOTE] Honestly if it's just a tiny little banner on the bottom of the screen it's a non issue. If it's like that fucking slide up ad that's impossible to close like in Pandora it's shit.
lawls, I had just installed adblock plus yeterday
[QUOTE=Amiga OS;39905022]If devs would release pay for versions of their apps I will buy them, if they only have an ugly ad supported apps available its gettin blocked.[/QUOTE] Not only that, but all the effort ad-sponsored apps go to show you adverts add a significant battery drain as well.
[QUOTE=Noss;39905402]Installed the free Angry Birds today, and an advert came up after every 2-3 bird launches that took up literally 1/2 of my phone's screen. Uninstalled 5 minutes later and won't be installing it again. Fuck Rovio don't you have enough money?[/QUOTE] Yeah, the problem is that at least some ads are too intrusive or offensive for some people. Ads can't be controlled that easily (which explains why there are ads that serve malware or scams) so adblocking is seen as a viable solution.
[QUOTE=S31-Syntax;39906304]Last I checked, ATT still disallowed sideloading.[/QUOTE] what? AT&T disallowing sideloading on Android? Source?
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