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Element is a popular client for the Matrix federated chat protocol, and we highlighted it in our roundup of the best open source alternatives to Google Hangouts last year (back when it was called Riot .im). Sadly, the app was taken from the Google Play Store without warning, in what appears to be another example where Google has confused third-party client apps as hosting all visible content.
Item Announced Yesterday on Twitter that its app has been suspended in the Play Store, without any notification from Google. The service then received confirmation that the takedown was due to abusive content, but since Element is only a client for the Matrix servers, the ban appears to be another instance of Google confusing third-party client content with the content hosted by the developer. The same teardowns have occurred for many other client applications in recent years.
Element explained the situation in a blog post:
On January 29, 2021 at 9:35 p.m. UTC, Google suspended Element from the Play Store without warning or notification. We sent out a call for clarification at 11:18 p.m., and at 5:31 a.m. we received a generic update from the Google Play rules team that the app had been removed in because of content that violated their terms of use and asking us to “make the necessary changes to [our] app ”and“ download a new app using a new package name and a new app name ”.
At 11:44 UTC, we made a detailed call to reiterate that Element is a generic chat app for connecting to the Matrix global communications network, just like Chrome is a generic web browser for connecting to the web – and all. like Google does. does not control content on the web, Element does not control content on Matrix.
We also explained that the Matrix servers that we make running as part (including the default Matrix.org home server, which we run on behalf of The Matrix.org Foundation) have strict terms of service that we actively enforce. We hate abuse, and Element is not an app for abusive content.
Hopefully Element will make a quick return to the Play Store. In the meantime, you can still download the app from APKMirror or F-Droid.
Reinstatement
Element’s Twitter account announced that the Android app is expected to return to the Play Store soon. A Google vice president told the team that a report of abusive content on Element’s own server was responsible for the takedown, but the content was apparently removed before Google took action.
Update: We just got a call from a Google vice president who explained that the suspension was triggered by a report of extremely abusive content accessible on the Server https://t.co/g01j4u6O2e. Our Trust and Security team had already acted on this and the application should be reinstated shortly.
– Element (@element_hq) January 30, 2021
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