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Two weeks of dealing with Google as a developer (danfitdegree.hashnode.dev)

913 points by danuker · 1391 days ago · 330 comments on HN

Article summary

A developer shares their frustrating experience with the Google Play Team, who repeatedly rejected their app updates due to supposed non-compliance with the User Generated Content policy, despite the developer's explanations and evidence to the contrary. The developer suspects they were interacting with a bot or an unhelpful human representative. The issue remained unresolved after multiple attempts to appeal and seek help. The developer is left with limited options to resolve the issue and is considering workarounds or escalating the matter further.

Main themes

  • Google Play review process
  • User Generated Content policy
  • App store regulation
  • Developer frustration
  • Automated review systems
  • Alternative app stores
  • User freedom vs. security
  • App store business models

What commenters say

  • The app's reporting mechanism is unclear and may need to be modified to explicitly report content, not just users.
  • The Google Play review process may be flawed and prone to errors, with some commenters suggesting that submitting a new update can bypass the issue.
  • The analogy of app stores to car manufacturers or road regulation is imperfect and does not accurately reflect the relationship between users, devices, and app stores.
  • Some commenters believe that Google's review process is intentionally strict or even arbitrary, while others think it is a necessary measure to ensure user safety.
  • The use of bots or automated systems in the review process may be contributing to the frustration and lack of helpful feedback.
  • Alternative app stores, such as F-Droid, can provide users with more flexibility and options, but may not be a viable solution for all users or developers.
  • The trade-off between app store security and user freedom is a complex issue, with some commenters prioritizing one over the other.
  • The experience of the developer is not unique, with others sharing similar stories of frustration and difficulty with the Google Play review process.