The downloader application deleted from Google Play because ``you can access pirated sites with a browser'' is revived



A downloader app called ' Downloader ' that allows Amazon Fire TV and Android TV users to download files from their browser to their device is back on Google Play. The app was removed from Google Play on May 19, 2023 because ``you can access pirated sites from the built-in browser'', but the developer said, ``Although you can access pirated sites from Chrome, It is unfair that only this app is deleted,' he protested.

My Downloader app is back in the Google Play Store for Android TV & Google TV devices |
https://www.aftvnews.com/my-downloader-app-is-back-in-the-google-play-store-for-android-tv-google-tv-devices/



Google un-bans Downloader app, but developer still mad about “broken” DMCA | Ars Technica
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2023/06/google-un-bans-downloader-app-but-developer-still-mad-about-broken-dmca/

`` Downloader '', a downloader application developed by web media AFTVnews that handles news related to Amazon Fire TV, is an application that allows you to easily download files on the Internet by operating a web browser with a remote control without using a mouse or keyboard. is. 'Downloader' is distributed on Google Play and Amazon's app stores, and it was said that it had been downloaded more than 5 million times on Google Play as of May 2023.

However, on May 19, 'Downloader' was removed from Google Play following a complaint based on the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) .

Google bans Downloader app after TV firms complain it can load a pirate website | Ars Technica
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2023/05/google-bans-downloader-app-after-tv-firms-complain-it-can-load-a-pirate-website/



This complaint was sent to Google by an Israeli television company, but the claim was that it ``allows users to access SDAROT , a distribution site for pirated content that infringes copyright.'' It was. Developer Elias Saba showed Google's notice to technology media Ars Technica, saying, ``If you look at the explanation part of the DMCA, the only reason is that the app can load the website. You can see that there is, 'he argued that it was strange to receive a DMCA claim just by being able to access the website from the app.

'Downloader' is an application that combines a basic file manager and web browser, but the default homepage is set to AFTVnews, and the user himself must operate the browser to display other websites. . And SDAROT's website can be accessed not only by 'Downloader', but also by Chrome, which is developed by Google itself.

Therefore, Saba said, ``If you violate the DMCA just by loading a website containing copyrighted content in a standard web browser, you should also remove all browsers in the Google Play Store, including Google Chrome. is a ridiculous claim and an abuse of the DMCA.'



Mr. Saba immediately filed an objection to Google, but the first application was rejected about an hour later, and then another objection was filed. As a result, although the suspension of the app was lifted on June 7, it was pointed out that ``this app is collecting email addresses without indicating it to the user.'' It seems that 'Downloader' did not collect the user's email address in particular, but Mr. Saba speculates that 'it may be because there is a form to enter the email address when logging in to the website.'

Mr. Saba said that he updated the explanation column of the application and wrote 'to collect email addresses' because the revival of the application will be further delayed if he continues to discuss with Google. Then, on June 8th, the app was finally available for download on Google Play. After all, 'Downloader' has been locked out of Google Play for about 20 days and has been offline, during which time the number of active users has decreased by 47%, Saba claims.

When Ars Technica contacted Google about this matter, the person in charge said in an email that ``we followed the process set forth by the DMCA and allowed both parties to exercise their respective options under the law,'' and there was no problem with the process. I explained that.

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