Samsungs Ad Blocking Partner Blocked for Google Play Store
- Thursday, February 4th, 2016
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Earlier this week, Samsung revealed the latest version of its own web browser app that comes installed as standard on its own phones, and drew attention for the fact that, like Apples Safari, it was allowing ad blocking technology to be integrated with the browser. Now, the firm has hit a road bump, as Google has pulled the companys app partner from the Google Play Store.
Adblock Fast, an existing content blocking app made by Rocketship Apps, had partnered with Samsung for the browsers launch, and was using Samsungs own code with the companys blessing to better integrate with the Samsung Internet app. However, the app has now been pulled from the Google Play Store.
The app allegedly violates some of Google Plays policies by interfering with other apps and services, or more specifically, interfering with other apps in the wrong way. Adblock Plus, one of the more popular ad blocking apps, has also included code from Samsungs browser in its app to aid integration, and has no been blocked, and various other content blocking services remain on the Play Store. However, Crystal, another popular ad blocking app, has had its latest update rejected by Google, potentially for also including the Samsung code.
One way that the situation could be resolved is by Samsung directly merging its browser with Adblock Fasts technology, as the violation Google has cited is that the app “interferes with another app, service or product in an unauthorised manner”. However, that would represent Samsung fully embracing ad blocking, which it is unlikely to do at this stage, with the issue still such a hot topic among publishers, marketers and ad tech developers.