Apk Link: https://cdn.organicmaps.app/apk/OrganicMaps-24081605-GooglePlay.apk
Note: If you don’t want to deal with stuff like this, I recommend you download and use it from F-Droid client or Accrescent AppStore.
Update: The app returned to the App Store.
It’s Google.
I’m certain that “Common violations” = “competes with our own products”.
It’s highly unlikely that this app even comes up on the radar insofar as competing with Google Maps.
The answer is probably more mundane - an automated system made an incorrect call. It keeps happening when it comes to these Play Store app reviews.
Indeed. “Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity”—or, in this case, an unaudited automated process. Now, I’m sure the fact that it competes with one of their products meant that they were in no particular hurry to address the issue, but I’m sure the original failure was process related, not anti-competitive practices.
Or some troll decided it would be funny to report it.
Most likely scenario in my opinion too.
Or maybe an automated system flagged it and an underpaid and overworked employee in a third world country reviewed it.
Does Google do that? Apple absolutely does it, but has Google ever done that?
Apple used to straight up steal the idea of existing apps. Lately it seems they favor buyout, like with dark cloud becoming weather, but it used to be that Apple would randomly swoop in and crush developers by creating a first party version of their app.
Ah, Sherlocking
Though at least sometimes an idea seems somewhat obvious
Probably the map has 18+ places and no decent way to stop children from seeing them?
“I love looking at the 3D building of this place. I am about to ejaculate in my pants”
Some buildings may be too sexy!
The app showed me a skyscraper and now I feel inadequate.
All buildings are beautiful!
That would mean EVERY map app would be in violation since those places exist and are indexed by all of them. Including Google Maps.
Aren’t they hidden by default in Google Maps?
No… Google maps even has a quick search for bars built in.
Are those apps available through the Families program as safe for kids?
I don’t know if Google has some API to indicate when the app runs from a child/family link managed account?
If so, then I suppose the Organic Maps dev could block some building categories from showing up (ex: Bars, Stripclub)?
So, what about OSMand. Or Magic Earth. Or any other map app?
Osmand is the best but it’s complicated and has too many features for a casual maps user. It’s UI is not that bad as others suggest. I have both installed cause organic maps doesn’t support saving routes/tracks.
I think OpenTracks could be a good lightweight alternative for simply saving tracks.
They’re not “good enough” - they dont provide the same comfy UI/UX that google maps and organic maps does. And organic maps is offline, so literally no data harvesting.
Also a thread here.
wtf, I just downloaded it 3 days ago
Hmm.
Never really looked into it before.
Now I downloaded it.
Google’s strategy seems to have backfired, in my case.
Strategy? You are assuming there was any intent behind it. The reviewers in third world countries are probably spending 30 seconds per app and are bound to make mistakes. Which in this case was reverted.
The reviewers in the 3rd world country are the ones who have to deal with the appeal. I guarantee you that the removal was some form of automated system. No human review is required for deletion from the playstore. The idea behind ithat is that legitimate app developers will appeal in cases where the automated system fucks up whereas the conmen will not.
Yeah, sounds about right. This isn’t a case of “Google maliciously takes down a Google Maps competitor” like people are saying.
Same. I’ve been using magicearth but I keep my eyes open for any alternative to a popular google app , just so I have a backup if something goes wonky.
Streisand effect
technically true but the original Streisand effect was about an image that had been downloaded six times before the lawsuit; Organic Maps is definitely a lot less obscure than that
Hopium question: Can Google be sued for this as anti-competitive behavior and fined for “lost revenue”?
You can install any apk on your phone (even unrooted) and there’s alternative stores such as f-droid, so why?
The answer to “can X be sued for Y?” is always yes, you can sue anyone for anything, this doesn’t say anything about whether you’ll succeed.
In theory yes. In practice or will require enormous resources to build a case against the army of layers that Google and the other giants can afford. I believe only the government now is big enough to do it, with the antitrust law.
Which I’m pretty sure they’re already gunning for Google, so this might be more evidence for their case.
Hope so. I’d imagine their lawyers will see this with joy.
There goes another useful tool that has been made inaccessible for most of the common users.
Support your favorite Map App: Donate!
Huh, payments not ging through the play store? Google can’t have that.
Somebody tell the EU. Could be a case for the Digital Markets Act.
For everyone without financial capabilities: there are many ways to be supportive
I installed it from fdroid, is there a difference between play store and fdroid version?
I think there is no android auto due no play services
Problem is the FDroid version doesn’t work with Android Auto iirc
I keep forgetting to update OM. Thanks for the reminder lol
Google can suck a tailpipe. Fdroid ftw
Not showing up in my f-droid either
Same for me, I had to enable Other-antifeatures in F-droid settings.
Thanks, enabling anti-fearures worked.
Check again.
Thanks, I had to allow other anti features.
there’s !organicmaps@sopuli.xyz but it’s pretty much dead
