Alphabet Inc.’s“Remove China Apps” app, which allowed users to delete Chinese apps, has been removed from the App Store, a company spokesperson said on June 3. The app was removed because it violated certain policies.
The app “Remove China Apps” has topped the free app trends on Google’s App Store in India. It has been downloaded more than 5,000 times. Its popularity comes amid calls for a boycott of Chinese mobile in India, amid a dispute between the two nations over their Himalayan border.
A Google spokesperson confirmed to Reuters that the app had been removed for violating Google App Store policies , but did not provide further information.
According to a source familiar with the matter, Google 's policies - which the software violated - prohibit apps from tricking users into deleting or disabling apps from other sources, or modifying device features and settings.
Remove China Apps scans users' phones for apps like Tik Tok and Alibaba's UC Browser . When it removes them, a pop-up message appears saying: "You're awesome. No Chinese apps found."
The company that made the app, OneTouch AppLabs, declined to comment and did not respond to a request for comment. The only mention from the company was an announcement on its website, whichconfirmed the removal of Remove China Apps from Google's App Store, and thanked users for support .
Many Indians and a spokesperson for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modiare still in their social media campaign#BoycottChineseProducts”.
