BlueMail suspended from Google Play Store following anti-trust hearing

[Ink]

Content source

https://www.businessinsider.com/blix-bluemail-email-app-kicked-off-google-play-store-antitrust-2020-7

Google kicked an app off its Google Play Store after its developers contributed questions for the US lawmakers to use during Wednesday's antitrust hearing.

Blix cofounder Ben Volach, who created the BlueMail app that was suspended, tweeted the revelation on Friday morning. Brothers Ben and Dave Volach both publicized their cooperation with the antitrust investigation earlier this week, as the Washington Post reported.

Blix has also been kicked off of the Apple app store before in 2018. Apple later came out with an email product that was similar to BlueMail, prompting the cofounders to file a lawsuit against the smartphone maker in 2019

 

[Ink]

MORE - BlueMail App Removed From Play Store Without Notice From Google

According to Google's follow-up response, BlueMail had copied another application that was on the Play Store. That's the whole response though. No explanation of which app was copied and how BlueMail had copied it.

While Google hasn't launched any new email apps, it did recently add a feature to Gmail which is apparently similar to BlueMail's. This feature revolves around Gmail's newly added integration of Google Chat to the Android and iOS apps.

Interesting twist.

 

[Predrag Radjenovic]

Could this be a regional thing? I use BM regularly for work, and the app is still installed and still on Play Store. There's even a"light" version as well...

 

[upnorth]

still on Play Store. There's even a"light" version as well...

Confirmed and this is why :

A Google spokesperson reached out to us and provided this comment on the situation.

"It’s completely false that we retaliated in any way against this developer. As part of our ongoing policy enforcement process, this app was flagged for similarities to the TypeApp mail app. As we always do when we find issues, we notified Blix and reached out to them to better understand the situation, and after a thorough review we have now reinstated the app."

UPDATED: BlueMail App Removed From Play Store Without Notice From Google

BlueMail developer Blix woke up to their email app having been removed from the Play Store this morning, stating there was no notice from Google. The

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