Google Kicks DO Global to the Curb
Google bans DO Global, a major Android developer and removes its apps from the Google Play Store following the discovery of ad fraud. The company has removed more than 100 apps for DO Global, which is in part owned by massive Chinese tech firm Baidu, and will continue to do so as a consequence of Global’s violations.
Google Kicks DO Global to the Curb
App Developers’ Violation
DO Global isn’t the first app developer that Google bans and certainly won’t be the last. However, it marks the biggest removal yet. Google’s AdMob network has also axed DO Global, which means the company has no rights to advertise its products by using Google’s huge mobile services. This isn’t Google’s first action against apps that are violating Play Store policies and user. Before, there were apps like Cheetah Mobile and Kika Tech that also got axed for committing ad fraud. Google banned Cheetah Mobile and Kika Tech, which collectively claimed over 700 million monthly active mobile users as a result of their violations. The apps were removed from the Play Store regardless of how active they were and how much money they were making.
About DO Global’s Ad Fraud
DO Global apps owned by Baidu, are starting to disappear from Google’s store for the following reason. Six of DO Global’s apps had a code that made it look like a user was clicking on advertisements even when they weren’t using the app. The code was designed to fraudulently click on ads, which could drain users’ batteries and run-up data. The apps carried generic names like Total Cleaner and Selfie Camera and purposely hid the fact DO Global is their owner. Most of these apps displayed that they were developed by “Pic Tools Group (Photo Editor& Photo Grid&Collage”. Concealing information as vital as this is considered a violation of the Play Store policy.
Google’s Response and Actions
Google took the ban a bit further by closing the company’s ad inventory for purchase. DO Globa’s apps “no longer offer ad inventory for purchase via Google’s AdMob network, suggesting the ban has also been extended to the internet giant’s ad products.” While we lack official statements or comments on Google’s behalf, but according to a reliable source, we know that Google will not go easy on DO Global. As a matter of fact, it will continue to remove DO Global’s app aiming to ban it overall. When it comes to violations and malicious behavior, Google shows no mercy. Even if that means removing the apps in which the developers rely on for money making.
About DO Global
DO Global owns 100 apps in the Play Store with more than 250 million monthly active users, and 600 million installs. After everything that has happened, DO Global released a statement to apologize for the violations their apps have made. Looking back the global mobile advertising platform has acquired over 600 million downloads in the Play Store. It was given the boot regardless of how successful it was.
DO Global’s Response
This is what DO global had to say after getting axed by Google:
“We fully understand the seriousness of the allegations. Therefore, after reading the reports about our apps, we immediately conducted an internal investigation on this matter. We regret to find irregularities in some of our products’ use of AdMob advertisements. Given this, we fully understand and accept Google’s decision. Moreover, we have actively cooperated with them by doing a thorough examination of every app involved.”
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In fact, with a VPN, you can even switch Google Play Store regions and download the apps you want to, even if they are not available in your local Google Play Store. A Virtual Private Network allows you to connect to remote servers, which change your IP address to show the location of the servers instead of your actual one. As a result, you get to view the different regional libraries that the Play store has. You can choose to get apps, music or content that you wouldn’t normally find within your Play store’s regional library. Choose the best VPN for Google Play Store to get the most out of the experience.
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Google Kicks DO Global to the Curb – Conclusion
Google removed the entire apps from DO Global, the Chinese Android developer from the Play Store for committing ad fraud, and will do so with any other app that follows in their footsteps. We’ll just have to wait to find out how long Google will ban DO Global and what is going to happen next. The Chinese Android developer’s apologies might go in vain because the actions have already been taken. But, who knows, there might be a chance at redemption.
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About The Author
Charles
Streaming gadgets geek. Interested in every little thing there is to know about bypassing regional restrictions. An avid believer in the right to protect online privacy. Charles has also reviewed plenty of VPN service providers and knows how to separate the good apples from the bad ones.
