Google allows ad blocker apps in Play Store again weer

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The Adblock Fast app, which was previously removed from the Play Store by Google, is available again. Google would also no longer hinder other makers of apps that block ads, provided their ad blockers integrate with other apps through an official channel.

Developer Rocketship writes on his blog that Adblock Fast, an adblocker that works in combination with Samsung’s internet browser, is available again in the Play Store. Last week, Google removed the app from its Android app store, but it wasn’t clear exactly why, given similar apps continued to be available. Rocketship appealed and successfully, as Google informed the developer that the objection was accepted and the app is available again.

It is unclear why Google removed the app and now made it available again. When removing the app, Google would have invoked article 4.4 of the developer distribution agreement. This specifies that apps should not disrupt or interrupt third-party services.

According to Techcrunch, this is a change of course within Google. The company is said to have planned to only allow browsers with built-in ad blockers, such as the Adblock Plus browser. Standalone apps that add adblock functionality would not be allowed under the guidelines. However, those guidelines were not consistently applied, as Adblock Fast was removed, but the comparable Crystal was only thwarted by not allowing an update.

A Techcrunch source told the website that Google will now allow adblock apps, as long as they integrate with other apps through an official channel such as an API. That is the case with the adblockers for the Samsung browser. Samsung has developed its browser in such a way that third parties can make extensions in the form of apps to block advertisements. Apple did the same with its Safari browser with the arrival of iOS 9.

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