It is apparent that Google is having a who-cares-about-the-users-Wednesday. After announcing that Google Reader to shut down on July 1, 2013; Google apparently removes ad-blocking apps from its Google Play Store for Android.
From Phandroid:
It’s hump day, but there’s no time for middle-of-the-week celebration if you’re the developer of ad-blocking software on Android. According to several sources, Google has started sending notifications to developers with ad-blocking software in the Google Play Store regarding these apps’ removal. Players like AdBlock, AdAway, AdFree and more are being whisked away.
So why, exactly, is Google bringing the ban hammer down on these unfortunate souls? Well, they seem to violate section 4.4 of the Play Store developer agreement. Said section states:
You agree that you will not engage in any activity with the Market, including the development or distribution of Products, that interferes with, disrupts, damages, or accesses in an unauthorized manner the devices, servers, networks, or other properties or services of any third party including, but not limited to, Android users, Google or any mobile network operator. You may not use customer information obtained from the Market to sell or distribute Products outside of the Market.
AdBlock is one of the casualties.
Meanwhile, Android is still open.
Strike that!
Android is Still Open™.
It is such a weird Wednesday with Google. Earlier today, Google announced Andy Rubin stepped down as head of Android™ team.