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Has the EU even addressed the issue where Google bans all ad-blocking apps from its store? Seems like a pretty open and shut "we're doing this because we have n

by mtgx 10y ago

Has the EU even addressed the issue where Google bans all ad-blocking apps from its store? Seems like a pretty open and shut "we're doing this because we have near-monopoly on the smartphone market and ad-blocking hurts our business" anti-trust case.

neximo64 10y ago
In your view are Apple's app store promotions fair? They're the only one allowed to distribute apps.
bobbyi_settv 10y ago
I'm not seeing how that's anti-competitive. Doesn't stopping ad blockers help other advertisers and networks just as much as it helps Google?
muninn_ 10y ago
Do they? https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.adblockplus.browser&hl=en https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.adblockplu... I don't use Android (nor any Google product besides search) but I'm pretty sure you can get ad blockers on Android.
- anonymousab 10y ago
  They block applications that interfere with the operation of other applications. This would include an ad blocker that blocks ads in, say, a free game, or the built in Chrome browser. The common workaround was to run connections through a VPN and your ad blocking happens there. I'm not sure if they started cracking down on that as well. Having apps that modify other apps can certainly be desired behavior, but it's clear why there would be legitimate concerns about customer security in allowing apps that can do so.
  - ethanbond 10y ago
    So... why is it possible?
    - tarancato 10y ago
      There are three approaches: 1. Create a browser with ad blocking builtin or possible with addons (like Firefox). 2. Create a local proxy that blocks ads, and make the user configure it as the system proxy. 3. Require root privileges and do whatever you want (2, or maybe change /etc/hosts, like AdAway does). Yes, there are tons of apps in the Play Store that only work with root. Google never cared much about them.
  - muninn_ 10y ago
    Sure I was just pointing out that they do exist at least as far as I could tell. On iOS I use Focus and Safari and that has been pretty good for me. Obviously that's not something that would work on Android.
  - JustSomeNobody 10y ago
    Don't other platforms block apps that either are too close to existing functionality or interfere with the operations of the builtin apps?
- bckygldstn 10y ago
  Chrome for Android doesn't allow browser extensions, possibly to prevent adblockers from being used. But that's a separate issue.
- Sylos 10y ago
  They do, yes. What you've linked is a browser with ad-blocking capabilities, which is treated a bit differently. What they remove are ad-blockers which block ads in other apps. And you can still get them on Android, but not via the Play Store. You have to go through third-party stores such as F-Droid, Aptoide or Amazon (or just directly download the installer-file off of a webpage). http://www.androidpolice.com/2013/03/13/breaking-google-has-begun-purging-ad-blocking-apps-from-the-play-store/ http://www.androidpolice.com/2013/03/13/breaking-google-has-...
RushAndAPush 10y ago
Why would this bring up an anti-trust case. It doesn't make any sense.
- spiralpolitik 10y ago
  Google has majority share in the EU smartphone market. They are using that majority share to extend/maintain their dominance in the search space by forcing OEM to license their applications. The EU regulators view the OS and Google apps as two seperate spheres.

by mtgx 10y ago

neximo64 10y ago

In your view are Apple's app store promotions fair? They're the only one allowed to distribute apps.

bobbyi_settv 10y ago

I'm not seeing how that's anti-competitive. Doesn't stopping ad blockers help other advertisers and networks just as much as it helps Google?

muninn_ 10y ago

Do they? https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.adblockplus.browser&hl=en https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.adblockplu... I don't use Android (nor any Google product besides search) but I'm pretty sure you can get ad blockers on Android.

anonymousab 10y ago
They block applications that interfere with the operation of other applications. This would include an ad blocker that blocks ads in, say, a free game, or the built in Chrome browser. The common workaround was to run connections through a VPN and your ad blocking happens there. I'm not sure if they started cracking down on that as well. Having apps that modify other apps can certainly be desired behavior, but it's clear why there would be legitimate concerns about customer security in allowing apps that can do so.
- ethanbond 10y ago
  So... why is it possible?
  - tarancato 10y ago
    There are three approaches: 1. Create a browser with ad blocking builtin or possible with addons (like Firefox). 2. Create a local proxy that blocks ads, and make the user configure it as the system proxy. 3. Require root privileges and do whatever you want (2, or maybe change /etc/hosts, like AdAway does). Yes, there are tons of apps in the Play Store that only work with root. Google never cared much about them.
- muninn_ 10y ago
  Sure I was just pointing out that they do exist at least as far as I could tell. On iOS I use Focus and Safari and that has been pretty good for me. Obviously that's not something that would work on Android.
- JustSomeNobody 10y ago
  Don't other platforms block apps that either are too close to existing functionality or interfere with the operations of the builtin apps?
bckygldstn 10y ago
Chrome for Android doesn't allow browser extensions, possibly to prevent adblockers from being used. But that's a separate issue.
Sylos 10y ago
They do, yes. What you've linked is a browser with ad-blocking capabilities, which is treated a bit differently. What they remove are ad-blockers which block ads in other apps. And you can still get them on Android, but not via the Play Store. You have to go through third-party stores such as F-Droid, Aptoide or Amazon (or just directly download the installer-file off of a webpage). http://www.androidpolice.com/2013/03/13/breaking-google-has-begun-purging-ad-blocking-apps-from-the-play-store/ http://www.androidpolice.com/2013/03/13/breaking-google-has-...

RushAndAPush 10y ago

Why would this bring up an anti-trust case. It doesn't make any sense.

spiralpolitik 10y ago
Google has majority share in the EU smartphone market. They are using that majority share to extend/maintain their dominance in the search space by forcing OEM to license their applications. The EU regulators view the OS and Google apps as two seperate spheres.