Global site navigation

Trump social network unwelcome in Google store over moderation issues
Business and Economy

Trump social network unwelcome in Google store over moderation issues

by  AFP 2 min read
Google says that it notified Truth Social that its app violated Play policies
Google says that it notified Truth Social that its app violated Play policies. Photo: Chris DELMAS / AFP/File
Source: AFP

New feature: Check out news exactly for YOU ➡️ find “Recommended for you” block and enjoy!

Former US president Donald Trump's Truth Social app is unwelcome in Google's app store until it abides by rules regarding content moderation including violent threats, the company said Wednesday.

The internet giant made the statement after the Trump camp argued that it didn't know why its social network app had yet to be approved for the Google Play Store, which offers content for Android-powered smartphones.

A Google spokesperson said the company notified Truth Social on August 19 that its app violated Play policies and required "effective systems for moderating user-generated content" in order to be offered on the platform.

The app breaks rules barring content that incites physical threats and violence, according to the tech firm.

"Last week Truth Social wrote back acknowledging our feedback and saying that they are working on addressing these issues," the Google spokesperson said.

Read also

Snap confirms cutting 20 percent of staff

Truth Social would still be able to make its app available on its website or other online venues that don't involve Google's online shop.

PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Instagram - get the most important news directly in your favourite app!

As of Wednesday a version of Truth Social was still available on Apple's App Store, which is the lone gateway onto the company's mobile devices.

Truth Social is Trump's answer to platforms such as Twitter, from which he was ejected after a mob he egged on assaulted the US Capitol in January 2021.

Signs are growing meanwhile that Truth Social is in financial trouble.

Fox Business Network reported last week that the platform had halted payments to the company that hosts it, RightForge, and owes $1.6 million.

Trump Media and Technology Group said in a regulatory filing that it has raised some $15 million in additional funding that it believes will enable it to pay its bills until the end of April of next year.

Read also

California law would make tech firms think of children

Meanwhile, a merger between Trump Media and Technology with blank check company Digital World Acquisition Corp, which was formed specifically to carry out the merger, has yet to take place 10 months after the announcement that it would happen. This fusion is supposed to bring in fresh funding for the Trump platform.

Regulators are reported to be scrutinizing the merger to determine if anything was amiss.

New feature: check out news exactly for YOU ➡️ find "Recommended for you" block and enjoy!

Source: AFP

Authors:
AFP avatar

AFP AFP text, photo, graphic, audio or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. AFP news material may not be stored in whole or in part in a computer or otherwise except for personal and non-commercial use. AFP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions in any AFP news material or in transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages whatsoever. As a newswire service, AFP does not obtain releases from subjects, individuals, groups or entities contained in its photographs, videos, graphics or quoted in its texts. Further, no clearance is obtained from the owners of any trademarks or copyrighted materials whose marks and materials are included in AFP material. Therefore you will be solely responsible for obtaining any and all necessary releases from whatever individuals and/or entities necessary for any uses of AFP material.

Hot: