So long Google, and thanks for all the nudes(lecaro.me)
261 points by speckx 15 days ago | 108 comments
tl;dr: After acquiring ten old Android 6.0.1 phones for an SMS gateway project, the author rediscovered the appeal of lightweight, degoogled Android development. Their attempt to publish a text editor called Tabby on the Play Store was rejected with an NSFW screenshot from an unrelated app attached as justification, and the appeal was denied without explanation. Frustrated by Google's opaque and broken review process—especially as Google tightens its grip on app distribution—they're abandoning the Play Store for F-Droid and itch.io.
HN Discussion:
  • ↑Google's tightening grip will drive developers away to alternatives like F-Droid
  • ↑App store gatekeepers need legal requirements and real appeal processes
  • ↓The accusation lacks details and context; author should have presented evidence better
  • ↑New publishing requirements have made hobby Android development impractical
  • •Questions the necessity of app store review processes compared to open web publishing