Google Removes Cleaner Apps from Play Store, One of them is Popular
In a recent takedown practice, Google has removed several cleaning apps including the popular SD Maid. Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto/400tmax
HOLIDAY NEWS - In an effort to make the Play Store free from malware and junk applications, Google continues to scan potentially dangerous applications and even removes them from the app store immediately.
However, sometimes genuine apps that are actually free of malware should also suffer from the auto-delete mechanism in the Google Play Store. In a recent takedown practice, Google has removed several cleaning apps including the popular SD Maid.
The developers of this app shared their complaint on Reddit and informed about the sudden deletion and complete termination of account from Play Store. Specifically for the SD Maid application, the reason for deletion is referred to as a violation of Google's Stalkerware policy.
Considering the claims of the developers, there is no feature that would allow them to stalk user privacy and data. In fact, SD Maid's source code is listed on GitHub.
"We have identified a pattern of high risk or abuse associated with your Developer Account and are taking this action in accordance with Sections 8.3/10.3 of the Google Play Developer Distribution Agreement." the reasons why Google removed the SD Maid application as quoted by detikINET from Gizmochina.
There are a few words in SD Maid's description that could put it in the suspicious category for an automatic removal tool. Through the description of the SD Maid App, you can see some keywords that can raise three eyebrows. Here is a snippet of its description:
- Explore your entire device and manipulate files via a comprehensive file explorer.
- Removes useless files from your system.
- Manage installed user and system applications.
- Detects files that previously belonged to uninstalled apps.
- Search for files by name, content or date.
- Get a detailed overview of your device storage.
- Optimizing database.
- Performs a true cleanup of the app and removes unnecessary files, replacing what others call 'cache cleaning'.
- Detects duplicate pictures, music or documents, regardless of name or location.
- Run tools automatically on schedule or via widget.
Most of the app developers say that Google has mentioned the same reasons behind the suspension of their cleaning apps.
However, not sure what the exact reason is but Google has warned this year about new guidelines related to 'Deceptive Behavior' Apps. Apps that don't precisely describe the use of the respective apps fall under 'Deceptive Behavior.
The "Deceptive Behavior" policy somehow applies to Cleaner Apps that market themselves as speed boosting apps. But for "Stalkerware Policy" violations it seems hard to fathom at the moment. Well, Google knows better which apps violate Play Store policies in a better way.