Google Unintentionally Removed Podcast Addict And Apologizes

Hiroshi Lockheimer, senior vice president at Google, has apologized for inadvertently removing Podcast Addict. He says Google still needs to improve its process to fight disinformation around Covid-19. The app can be downloaded again.

Google suspended Podcast Addict yesterday for allegedly referring to Covid-19. Only apps published by government agencies or public health organizations are allowed to report about Covid-19 in certain ways under the conditions. Google wants to use this to combat disinformation about the virus. According to the creator of the app Xavier Guillemane, he never referred to the virus in his app. He suspects that third-party content provided the reference to the virus.

On Twitter says Hiroshi Lockheimer, senior vice president of Android and the Play Store, among others, that the app should not have been removed. The processes to remove covid-19 apps would still need some improvements. It is not clear whether the app was automatically removed or whether a Google employee did this manually.

Tonight said Podcast Addict already that his objection to suspending the app had been accepted. Previously, it seemed that the app would lose the accumulated download and review numbers. However, the app can now be downloaded again via the Google Play Store, including download and review history.