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Former President Donald Trump’s social network, Truth Social, was not approved by Google for download on Android for “insufficient content moderation,” leaving 44% of smartphone users in the US without the option to use it.
According to an Axios report, Google executives have expressed concerns to Truth Social over alleged violations of Play Store policies preventing the posting of threats of physical assault or incitement to violence.
SCOOP: Google hasn't yet approved Truth Social's Android app for distribution via its Play Store due to insufficient content moderation.https://t.co/nNCwpEhmZJ
— Axios (@axios) August 30, 2022
Although Truth Social CEO Devin Nunes recently said that the app’s availability “is up to Google,” a spokesperson for the tech giant claims that the social media executives are aware of the hiccups.
“On Aug. 19, we notified Truth Social of several violations of standard policies in their current app submission and reiterated that having effective systems for moderating user-generated content is a condition of our terms of service for any app to go live on Google Play,” the spokesperson told Axios, stating that app executives responded by saying they are “working to address these issues.”
The source also indicated that “sensitive content” notices warning that certain posts “may not be suitable for all audiences” would be insufficient for Google’s criteria, given that they do not explicitly prohibit threats of violence.
Although the company could offer an app version for Android installation via direct download, which would skip the need for Google approval, this does not seem to be on the table.
The delay by Google adds to the history of media censorship against conservatives. Trump launched Truth Social in response to the ban on multiple digital platforms imposed against him following the events on Capitol Hill on January 6, 2021.
Apps that refused to censor Trump also experienced consequences. The social network Parler, which competed with Twitter and offered a free speech to conservatives, was banned on Google Play under the same excuse of insufficient content moderation.
Tomás Lugo, journalist and writer. Born in Venezuela and graduated in Social Communication. Has written for international media outlets. Currently living in Colombia // Tomás Lugo, periodista y articulista. Nacido en Venezuela y graduado en Comunicación Social. Ha escrito para medios internacionales. Actualmente reside en Colombia.