Sep 02, 2026 19:00:00

The learning app 'AnkiDroid' is being flagged on Google Play as violating its policies due to the presence of a donation link.

It has been revealed that the learning app '

AnkiDroid ' has been deemed by Google Play to be in violation of its payment policy due to a donation link displayed within the app.

[Community Help Needed] Google Play: no longer allowing our Open Collective donation link · Issue #21656 · ankidroid/Anki-Android
https://github.com/ankidroid/Anki-Android/issues/21656

AnkiDroid accepts donations through the donation platform 'Open Collective.' Open Collective is characterized by its ability to make the flow of funds as transparent as possible. For example, 'an application is required to use the donated funds, and who the payments were made to is made public.'

AnkiDroid received a policy violation warning from Google Play for displaying a link to Open Collective, and was prompted to remove the link or use an alternative. The developer has appealed the decision, but it has remained unresolved for over a month, and the app update has also been denied.

According to Google, AnkiDroid is not eligible to solicit donations within the app.

Google Play's policies stipulate that donations can only be accepted if the recipient is a tax-exempt organization, and that a payment system other than Google Play must be used. AnkiDroid was using a payment system other than Google Play, but it seems that the recipient was not recognized as a tax-exempt organization.

In the initial warning sent by Google, AnkiDroid was instructed to submit documentation proving that the recipient of the donations was a tax-exempt organization. AnkiDroid submitted to Google documentation proving that Open Collective

was a 501(c)(6) non-profit organization, which is exempt from tax, as well as documentation proving that AnkiDroid was also eligible for the 501(c)(6) exemption.

However, the problem was not resolved. Google reportedly followed up with more details, stating that 'donations can only be accepted from organizations that meet the criteria of being tax-exempt (for example, 501(c)(3) organizations, etc.).'

Here, we can see that AnkiDroid and Google have different interpretations of 'tax-exempt organizations.' The U.S. Internal Revenue Code defines organizations that are exempt from taxes, categorizing them into 501(c)(1) through 501(c)(29). The 501(c)(3) example given by Google is generally considered a charitable organization, such as schools or science and technology promotion organizations. On the other hand, the 501(c)(6) category to which Open Collective belongs includes organizations referred to as 'business leagues,' such as chambers of commerce and real estate associations.

Experts explain the differences between the two, stating that 'both are exempt from federal taxes, but 501(c)(6) organizations may be required to pay state and local taxes' and '501(c)(6) organizations cannot receive tax-deductible donations or gifts.'

Based on reports from AnkiDroid developers, it appears Google does not consider Open Collectives, which are 501(c)(6) organizations, to be tax-exempt entities as defined in their policies. The developers reported that they have already sent the necessary documents to Google, but they did not mention the 501(c)(3) organizations that Google cited as examples, suggesting that this point may need to be reviewed.

Open Collective explains in its official blog that it 'grants 501(c)(3) non-profit status to eligible groups,' so if this allocation has also been made to AnkiDroid, then AnkiDroid could potentially object.