Google has forced Amazon to taken down its shopping app that contained a functional app store. The app has now been replaced by Amazon Shopping app that is the same but without the app store link.
Amazon confirmed that it removed these links to its app store because of Google’s rules for Play Store. Google altered its Developer Distribution Agreement at the end of September, just a couple of weeks after Amazon updated its main app to allow customers to purchase Amazon’s digital content, including videos and apps.
“We launched a new Amazon App for Android Phones on September 9 that provides an award-winning mobile shopping experience, enables customers to discover and purchase all of Amazon’s digital catalog, and provides customers access to the Prime Instant Video player and unlimited streaming of over 40,000 movies and TV episodes. Google subsequently changed their Developer Distribution Agreement on September 25. As a result, we removed the app from Google Play and published the Amazon Shopping app. Customers who want the best Amazon experience on their Android phone, including access to Prime Instant Video and Amazon’s entire digital catalog, can still get the Amazon App for Android Phones at amazon.com/androidapp.
Amazon said in a statement to TechCrunch
The old Amazon app listing still exists on the Play Store, but is no longer visible in searches and isn’t available for installation on any new devices.