Google has suspended a popular app from the Play Store for being able to load a pirate website, which Google Chrome or any other web browser can do. The app called Downloader has been removed following a Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) complaint from a group of Israeli TV companies.
Play Store has suspended the Downloader app because it may load a specific website
Downloader is a free app for Android TV and Amazon Fire TV devices. It is a utility app that offers a built-in web browser along with a file manager. It allows users to “easily download files from the Internet to their device”. You can manually enter a URL or sideload the web browser plugin to download files from websites. The app has been around for about seven years now and has amassed over 50 million installs across the two platforms.
But Google recently suspended Downloader from the Play Store, citing a DMCA complaint that said the app “allows users to view the notorious copyright infringement website known as SDAROT” (through). The developer of the app citing Elias Saba took to Twitter and his blog to share the unfortunate news. According to Saba, the DMCA complaint was filed by a law firm on behalf of several Israeli TV companies. These include Yes TV and Hot TV.
The main complaint is that the app can load the aforementioned pirate website, which already has a permanent injunction issued by two Israeli courts and a US federal court (issued by a judge of the US District Court in New York in April 2022). But as said before, this is not something only Downloader can do. Each web browser allows users to load any active website that is not blocked by their ISP or local government.
Saba states that it has no connection whatsoever with the website in question or its operator. “Any rational person would agree that you can’t possibly blame a web browser for the illegal content that exists on the internet,” Saba expressed frustration in his blog post. “My app in no way directs users to a specific website other than mine [www.aftvnews.com, which is the browser’s default homepage].”
Google has rejected the developer’s appeal
Shortly after Google suspended Downloader from the Play Store, Saba filed an appeal through the Google Play Console and the company’s DMCA defense form. However, the Google Play Console’s objection was rejected in about an hour. “We’ve reviewed your appeal, but we’re still unable to restore your app,” the rejection notice said.
Meanwhile, in response to Saba’s DMCA counter, Google said it gives the TV companies 10 days to “either file a lawsuit to obtain an injunction to stop the allegedly infringing activity, or file a claim of infringement.” to the US Copyright Office Copyright Claims Board.” ”. If they don’t go to court, Downloader should be back on the Play Store in about a week.
Nevertheless, as Saba say, “It’s a ridiculous claim and an abuse of the DMCA”. The app may be back, but the developer has already lost many existing users or potential new users. The app reportedly had 36 percent fewer users per week after Google suspended it. “I lost anyway,” said the creator of the Downloader app. The app is still available on the Amazon app store for Fire TVs or as an APK file of the official website.