We're very sad, disgusted and angry to announce Google yesterday has suspended and removed our app My APKs Install from Google Play, saying it violates the malicious behavior policy.
Let us state the following (read below the message we received to fully understand):
- My APKs Install IS NOT A VIRUS/MALWARE/MALICIOUS APP
- My APKs Install DOES NOT MODIFY/REPLACE/UPDATE ITSELF
- My APKs Install only purpose is to help users to restore apps on their devices and to manage their apk collection easily
- My APKs Install requires only very few permissions to work and does not connect to internet
- My APKs Install is able to manage external MicroSD card ONLY AFTER EXPLICIT USER APPROVAL
- My APKs Install fully works with standard not rooted devices, but it is also able ONLY AFTER EXPLICIT USER APPROVAL to use root access to automate installation procedure
About the first point, a couple of years ago a failing antivirus identified the app as malware, but it only was a false positive.
The proof is we continued to improve the app and published several subsequent My APKs Install releases that passed all Google security checks.
Until yesterday.
Maybe Google got that amazing antivirus to protect users and got again that nice false positive!
And now... what could we do?
Reading again and again Google policies we already read so many times to NOT find any violation in our app?
Contacting their policy support team without having first enough information about the alleged violation?
Following Google great suggestion and to publish the app made compliant (how?) using a new name? With the risk of a new suspension or, even worst, account termination?
Meanwhile, Google Play is overflowing of fake, malwares, not compliant apps... thank you Google to make indipendent developers' life a pain, those developers who helped you to spread Android all over the world...
Dear users and followers leave us a comment here or onto our social networks, perhaps you have an idea to help us :)
Below the relevant email received from Google:
from: Google Play Support googleplay-developer-support+no-reply@google.com
subject: Notification from Google Play
Hi Developers,
After review, My APKs Install - restore manage apps apk file, com.frankygoes.myapksinstall, has been suspended and removed from Google Play as a policy strike because it violates the malicious behavior policy.
An app downloaded from Google Play may not modify, replace or update its own APK binary code using any method other than Google Play's update mechanism.
Next Steps
1. Read through the Malicious Behavior policy for more details and examples of policy violations.
2. If possible, make changes to bring your app into compliance. Remember your app must comply with all policies listed in the Developer Program Policies and additional enforcement could occur if there are further policy issues with your apps.
3. Sign in to your Developer Console and submit the policy compliant app using a new package name and a new app name.
Additional suspensions of any nature may result in the termination of your developer account, and investigation and possible termination of related Google accounts. If your account is terminated, payments will cease and Google may recover the proceeds of any past sales and/or the cost of any associated fees (such as chargebacks and transaction fees) from you.
If you’ve reviewed the policy and feel this suspension may have been in error, please reach out to our policy support team. One of my colleagues will get back to you within 2 business days.
Regards,
The Google Play Review Team
