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Google bans Podcast Addict app over non-approved Covid-19 content

(reclaimthenet.org)
1525 points garyclarke27 | 5 comments | 18 May 20 07:37 UTC | HN request time: 0.313s | source
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ipsum2 ◴[18 May 20 07:53 UTC] No.23219562[source]▶
My favorite (and only) podcasting app. I hope someone who works at Google reads this and flag it internally.

This quote really sums up how ridiculous Google is being:

> What Google is asking of Podcast Addict would be comparable to Google asking a web browser app to remove references to all the websites and social media posts that reference the coronavirus unless the reference comes from an official government entity or public health organization.

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Crosseye_Jack ◴[18 May 20 08:08 UTC] No.23219675[source]▶
> asking a web browser app to remove references to all the websites and social media posts

Except usually a web browser doesn't include a index of sites, You go to a another site (Google/Bing) for that. If a browser does include "recommended sites" the landing pages of those sites best keep to Google's and Apples rules. For an extreme example, If Firefox was promoting PornHub on the new tab page we could understand why Google or Apple would tell them to cut it out, but it doesn't stop you from visiting the site.

I'm not saying I agree with what Google have done here (IMO they should re-instate Podcast Addict), Just that I can see why Google could think "recommended podcasts" and podcast indexes come under the "included content" of an app.

EDIT: As others has said here, It's more like Google banning YouTube because it contains video's about covid 19 which don't come from "approved sources" (Though Google did demonetize people for talking about it and de-rank non "approved sources")

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nisa ◴[18 May 20 08:53 UTC] No.23220019[source]▶
YouTube constantly recommends me COVID-19 conspiracy videos since I dared to watch one that was popular here in Germany. Basically on every video I watch I have now german conspiracy videos as recommendations. I did neither like the video or did I subscribe the channel.

It's beyond fucked up what Google is doing.

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techntoke[dead post] ◴[18 May 20 11:40 UTC] No.23221103[source]▶
Can only listen/watch state-approved propaganda.
1. nisa ◴[18 May 20 11:48 UTC] No.23221157[source]▶
There is a difference between genuine alternative views and just cultish conspiracy content created for clicks that defies any law of physics - is it reasonable to recommend a video from someone who argues the lockdown is not warranted? Why not. Is it reasonable to recommend someone who denies the existence of the virus and want's to sell you his quack treatments? I don't think so.
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2. moftz ◴[18 May 20 22:36 UTC] No.23229187[source]▶
No, they are saying that having a discussion about how to deal with the pandemic is a little more above board than someone arguing that it's a 5G conspiracy.
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3. Elzear ◴[19 May 20 04:34 UTC] No.23231296[source]▶
Facebook, Twitter and YouTube are removing some posts and videos from Bolsonaro.
4. DagAgren ◴[19 May 20 08:54 UTC] No.23232776[source]▶
Yes, absolutely. The man is causing obvious harm and danger.
5. spaginal ◴[19 May 20 14:46 UTC] No.23235424{3}[source]▶
It was a little above board to argue that the Earth wasn’t the center of the universe at one time, and it was fervently argued, dissenters were dealt with harshly.

Not saying there is a logical equivalency here, but this type of thinking is exactly why free speech is important, not why it’s dangerous.