Google today has yet again updated its Play Store developer policies and first among them is the “appeal to children but contain adult themes” are no longer allowed. In the same regards, apps that include content that adult content will be immediately banned from the Store.
Moving along, Google also said that it will not allow apps that promote violence or incite hatred against individuals or groups based on race or any other characteristic that is associated with systemic discrimination or marginalization. An interesting announcement among the newly updated policies is that Google will no longer allow cryptocurrency miners on the Play Store.
If you look closely, PlayStore currently has tons of miner apps including MinerGate, Crypto Miner, and NeoNeonMiner. Google banned Crypto mining extensions from Chrome Web Store earlier this year. Google now banned applications that “facilitate the sale of explosives, firearms, ammunition, or certain firearms accessories.” Google finally is banning apps that are repetitive in nature, meaning “multiple apps with highly similar content and user experience,” or “apps that are created by an automated tool, wizard service, or based on templates and submitted to Google Play by the operator of that service on behalf of other persons.”
Google is banning apps whose primary focus is to serve ads and apps that intentionally mislead users. Google notes “apps or developer accounts that impersonate any person or organization, or that misrepresent or conceal their ownership or primary purpose.”