Google Bans Ad Blockers in Play Store, but In-Browser Ad Blockers Still Allowed

Exterminator

Community Manager
Thread author
Verified
Staff Member
Well-known
Oct 23, 2012
12,527
Google recently updated its content policy update for the Play Store and clarified one of the most controversial aspects while at it.

The search giant clearly states in the new policy rules that it is not alright for an application to block or interfere with another app displaying adds.

There has been much talk around Google's ban on ad blockers in the Play Store, as the company did not have a clear stance on the subject.

Devs of those apps found interfering with third-party apps or services displaying ads usually received a letter that informed them that their creations are against the company's distribution agreement.

But not anymore as Google updated section 4.4 of the old distribution agreement that goes back almost three years. Here is an example of what your apps should not do if you want it to be accepted in the Google Play Store:

“Apps that block or interfere with another app displaying ads.

Game cheating apps that affect the gameplay of other apps.

Apps that facilitate or provide instructions on how to hack services, software or hardware, or circumvent security protections.

Apps that access or use a service or API in a manner that violates its terms of service.

Apps that attempt to bypass system power management that are not eligible for whitelisting.”

We're still in a gray area, but improvements have been made
However, Google has decided that in-browser ad blockers are quite alright, so Android users will still be able to download apps like Adblock Fast, Adblock Browser, and Brave Browser.

In-browser ad blocking has been allowed on iOS platform for quite some time, so banning these apps that facilitate this function would have put Google in an awkward position, especially that a big chunk of the company's revenue comes from web ads.

Since in-browser ad blockers are so popular among Android users, it would have hurt Google more to ban rather than allow them in the Play Store.
 
S

Smith83

Not sure I would be able to stand not having an adblocker....
 
D

Deleted member 2913

Vendors feel they have the right to advertise.

Users feel they have the right to block ads.

Vendors will do whatever they can to stop users from blocking ads.
And users will do whatever they can to stop ads.
 

jamescv7

Level 85
Verified
Honorary Member
Mar 15, 2011
13,070
Well always there will be a strong contradictions between two parties and its already up to the Google to change the 'game' pace.

Adblockers have no problem but because mobile platforms are tend to make revenues faster and practical ways than computers hence those anti-advertisement will undergone trouble.
 

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