AdBlock Plus, the app that blocks those pesky mobile ads has been removed from the Play Store by Google.
In a move that could be seen to be protecting their own revenues, Google are running the risk of upsetting the many users that only want the content of their choosing on their handset.
Adblock Plus is not the first app to have been removed by Google however it is the first to be removed for reasons beyond being malicious.
The app can of course still be downloaded from the Adblock Plus website and installed independently of the Play Store thus restoring full Adblocking functionality.
This does of course mean that any updates will also have to be downloaded manually as the automatic update process will no longer function.
Adblock Plus have posted the following response on their website:
In a rather surprising move, Google removed Adblock Plus and other ad blocking apps from the Google Play store due to “interference with another service or product in an unauthorised manner”.
This looks like a course change at Google, until recently the main distinction between Android and iPhone was that Android allowed you to install any app as long as it wasn’t malicious (meaning that it’s obvious what the app does). Google Play still allows apps stating ‘for rooted phones only’ but I wonder whether these are next on the list to be removed – each of them performs ‘unauthorised actions’.
The big question is whether or not Google will stop at the ad-blocking apps or will they continue into other areas that could be seen to encroach on their bottom line?
Are Google infringing on your choice of what you want displayed on your device? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
A move long-time coming in my opinion. It makes total sense, for Google to have more control over the apps they themselves sell. I still see the app thriving, both on ‘other app stores’ and directly from there own site…
I agree with this move, not on the basis that Google make more money, but for the developers who have the ads on their programs to recoup money for their time. Most aps now come with a paid version which stops ads. If you don’t want ads in a program I suggest that you help developers and purchase the app!
As long as Google pay taxes on the income they will get from this action, I don’t see a problem! =p