Google blocks FOSS Android tool – for asking for donations
- Reference: 1646221166
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2022/03/02/google_blocks_android_tool/
- Source link:
[2]
A screenshot from the [3]project's GitHub page
Google has previously shown [4]support for the OpenStreetMap project – to the point that it kicked two unnamed contractors off its projects for allegedly vandalising its work. However, some frictions have been felt of late, according to StreetComplete contributor [5]Tobias Zwick , who said the semi-automated approvals process for the Play Store [6]rejected StreetComplete for suggesting that people donate money to OSM. Why? Because Play Store apps [7]mustn't accept other payment methods.
In an [8]issue he opened on the project's GitHub repository last month , Zwick noted:
[Google's] policy doesn't seem to make any difference between "in-app-payment" and donations (to FOSS software, at that) except if the donation is for a non-profit (ie tax-exempt) organization...
Furthermore, it was rejected because they write I need to supply login credentials for them – ie, login credentials for an openstreetmap account. It's a bit absurd. Would they request login credentials for an email client too? Or an app that enables you to connect with your Google account?
Some app vendors bypass the Play Store altogether, of course, requiring users to sideload their app – but you need to have a strong incentive, such as [9]needing it for a COVID test result .
StreetComplete used to have a button asking users if they'd like to donate, and offered links to GitHub Sponsors, Liberapay and Patreon. The Play Store approvals folks appear to have rejected that, so the team replaced it with a simple link to its homepage on Github – but that was rejected, too.
Ultimately, the project resolved the issue by removing "the link and explain[ing] why I removed the link. The dialog still kind of fulfills its purpose because it kind of makes clear that it is indeed possible to donate (somewhere)."
Zwick added he "didn't want to be overly salty in that message because the goal of this dialog is to inform users about that they can donate, not to get users upset about Google."
[10]
This isn't a first by any means; the free WireGuard VPN, which is even [11]part of the Linux kernel , has faced similar [12]problems , as has two-factor authentication app [13]andOTP .
[14]
[15]
Despite Google's protests that it does allow side-loading and other app stores, the company's policies around payments in the Play Store have [16]long faced legal challenges , including [17]in the UK , where the competition regulator has started an investigation into whether Google and Apple's duopoly of the mobile sphere has resulted in reduced innovation and higher prices for consumers.
So far, the company has only [18]backed down in South Korea , which has a law that prohibits it from restricting payments to its own store, whether it's to pay for apps or for in-app purchases. Given the considerable profit potential in these online app stores, there is little motive for any tech firm to surrender without a considerable legal fight.
[19]Google boots out contractors for allegedly damaging OpenStreetMap
[20]Revenues from in-app purchases swelled 32% to almost $30bn for Q3 2020 – and Apple snaffled most of it
[21]Google set to face fresh sueball over its Play Store revenue commission after probe by several US states – report
[22]Hands up who ISN'T piling in to help Epic Games appeal Apple App Store ruling
In the very early days – for example, 2010 – [23]Apple's stores didn't make much money , but that soon changed. By 2014, [24]Apple's Software and Services group segment was raking it in , and still is, despite [25]multiple challenges – including [26]from developer Epic Games, among others .
Apple takes 30 per cent commission of the revenues of apps that appear in the App Store, generously cutting this to [27]15 per cent if you make under $1m . Google also adopted that policy. By 2020, the app stores of both tech giants collectively were [28]making a shade under $30bn – that's some $20bn for Apple and $10bn for Google. These kinds of numbers make it clear why their proprietors are so keen to protect their revenues – even against pesky charitable donations. ®
Get our [29]Tech Resources
[1] https://github.com/streetcomplete/StreetComplete
[2] https://regmedia.co.uk/2022/03/02/streetcomp2.jpg
[3] https://github.com/streetcomplete/StreetComplete#readme
[4] https://www.theregister.com/2012/01/18/google_blames_contractors/
[5] https://github.com/westnordost
[6] https://github.com/streetcomplete/StreetComplete/issues/3768
[7] https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answer/9858738/
[8] https://github.com/streetcomplete/StreetComplete/issues/3768
[9] https://www.theregister.com/2021/11/15/randox_certifly_android_side_loading/
[10] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/front&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2Yh@itoNXq9LhBBaBx4w@bwAAABI&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0
[11] https://www.theregister.com/2021/12/08/wireguard_linux/
[12] https://lists.zx2c4.com/pipermail/wireguard/2019-October/004596.html
[13] https://github.com/andOTP/andOTP/issues/396
[14] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/front&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44Yh@itoNXq9LhBBaBx4w@bwAAABI&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[15] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/front&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33Yh@itoNXq9LhBBaBx4w@bwAAABI&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[16] https://www.theregister.com/2021/06/23/google_play_store_civil_suit/
[17] https://www.theregister.com/2021/06/15/cma_google_apple_mobile/
[18] https://www.theregister.com/2021/10/06/google_to_comply_with_south_korean_payment_law/
[19] https://www.theregister.com/2012/01/18/google_blames_contractors/
[20] https://www.theregister.com/2020/10/02/mobile_app_revenues_up_32pc/
[21] https://www.theregister.com/2021/06/23/google_play_store_civil_suit/
[22] https://www.theregister.com/2022/01/29/epic_games_appeal_of_apple/
[23] https://www.theregister.com/2010/01/26/app_store/
[24] https://www.theregister.com/2014/02/11/apples_itunes_revenue_half_that_of_google_entire_core_business/
[25] https://www.theregister.com/2021/05/11/apple_app_store_collective_action_uk/
[26] https://www.theregister.com/2022/01/29/epic_games_appeal_of_apple/
[27] https://www.theregister.com/2020/11/18/apple_to_halve_commission_for_small_devs/
[28] https://www.theregister.com/2020/10/02/mobile_app_revenues_up_32pc/
[29] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
duh!
Open Street Map is not Google Maps. Isn't that reason enough?
Anyone using Google Maps provides all sorts of data back to the mothership. OSM users don't.
$$$$$ matters to Google. Any limitation of their revenue stream is a clear and present threat to their business.
Re: duh!
The developer of OruxMaps had a similar problem, he offered a free and a donation version. It was just the same functionality, just a way to throw some money his way and Google even got their cut from the 5EUR or so. Google's policy however explicitly forbids this model. There's only the free version left.
Just by-pass Play Store & go to FDroid. It's available there.
Sure... but Google still needs to be beaten with a large stick for being assholes.
The (drug) dealer's stranglehold
They want their hard earned 30% cut.
Google only wants what is best for google. Apple only wants what is best for apple. They know you can be blackmailed into submission and do so without hesitation. Either you give them your money (donations or whatever) or you are kicked out. They need to have their 30% hard earned cut. Without them you are nothing. Now, pay up already.
Don't Trust Google?
+1 for F-Droid. APKPure is another trustworthy app collection.
App Store Pricing
I find it curious that according to the article Apple made twice as much from its app store despite there being far more android phones out there, and Apple and Google supposedly imposing similar margins. Is it simply that iLovers are happier to part with cash for apps? Or does Apple's figures also include music or other services in the same total?
Re: App Store Pricing
Historically Apple phones have been premium purchases and brought as a fashion icon rather than purely on technical merits. People choose android are more likely to be price sensitive and either
a) don't have enough money to spend on an iPhone or apps, or
b) are more careful with their money so don't waste it on apps
Of course some apps are good value, and some android users will part with cash, but demographically iphone users are likely to spend more due to it being bigger spenders who buy into the platform.
Re: App Store Pricing
" don't have enough money to spend on an iPhone or apps "
Or wonder why one should pay a premium for a fruity logo that won't even let you choose what apps to install, when there are plenty of perfectly decent offerings that don't cost as much.
As for apps, well there was I time I needed telnet, preferably with ANSI support. Nothing free on Apple (in the iOS7 days), one app that cost about €12 and might have worked.
On Android? VX Connectbot (free) blows everything else away. If that's free (as is my file manager, etc etc) then why pay €$£ unless you're trying to make some sort of point?
Re: App Store Pricing
AFAIK, the majority of Android users are cheapskates. That said, I have not paid Apple a penny for my phone or the apps that I have on it. My iPhone was bought secondhand and none of the 30+ apps are priced at anything other than free.
Re: App Store Pricing
There's a weird psychological thing going on with buying apps...
I find I don't hesitate to drop $20 on a meal, or $75 on a rain suit for the bike, or $10/mo for a patreon, but then I'll go "WHAAATTT! $11 for a weather radar app because it has TDWR? ELEVEN BUCKS?!? I'LL BE IN THE POOR HOUSE!"
It's so strange when I catch myself doing this, knowing how irrational it is.
Re: App Store Pricing
Well, it's easy to pay eleven for this app, five for that one, eight for that one, twenty for some pointless in-game upgrade and... see where this is going?
Actually, the reason I don't pay for apps is because it would mean giving payment details to Google (or Apple). Yeah, um, no .
"the goal of this dialog is to inform users about that they can donate, not to get users upset about Google."
I'd have to think - if the user is aware-of and using OpenStreetMap to the point that they want to donate to the cause, they're probably already more than a little "upset about Google".