【】
Gab just sued Google for employing anticompetitive practices after banning the app from the Google Play Store,The Washington Postreported.
SEE ALSO:From 4chan to Gab: Where hate speech is thriving onlineLaunched by former ad tech founder Andrew Torba last year, Gab has gained significant traction as an alternative social network. Gab promotes itself as a free speech platform and therefore has attracted members of the alt-right and white supremacists who are able to share their views without fear of being banned.
Back in August, Gab said Google had banned its Android app from the Google Play Store. An email from Google Play Support to Gab said it "violates the hate speech policy."
"In order to be on the Play Store, social networking apps need to demonstrate a sufficient level of moderation, including for content that encourages violence and advocates hate against groups of people," a Google spokesperson said in a statement to ArsTechnica.
Now, Gab's lawyers are alleging that Google is violating antitrust law by not allowing the platform to appear in the Google Play Store.
"This claim is baseless and we're happy to defend our decision in court if need be. In order to be on the Play Store, social networking apps need to demonstrate a sufficient level of moderation," a Google spokesperson wrote in a statement Friday.
"This is a long-standing rule and clearly stated in our developer policies. This developer is welcome to appeal the suspension if they've addressed the policy violations and are compliant with our Developer Program Policies," the statement continued.
Gab was allowed in the store until August, only days after Google fired former engineer James Damore who had circulated a controversial memo. Apple rejected Gab from its app store back in 2016, where Torba again claimed bias.
The 40-page lawsuit doesn't just allege violating anti-trust law, but it also takes an "ideological crusade against the hypocrisy of Silicon Valley and 'political correctness,'" according to Fast Company.
For example, the lawsuit cites a "Charlottesville 'moment,'" referring to the white supremacist rallies where one person died and several were injured, as the reason for banning Gab from the Play Store.
When reached out for comment, Torba directed Mashable to a Medium post titled "Gab Declares War On Google, Files Lawsuit."
Featured Video For You
The ugly truth about giraffes
TopicsGooglePolitics
相关文章
This German startup wants to be your bank (without being a bank)
BERLIN -- “That is f*cking clever,” said Ben Floyd, 33, as we sat in a trendy cafe in Be2024-09-20Map shows creepy clown sightings across multiple U.S. states
Creepy clown sightings have spread across the United States. The clowns, first sighted in August, ap2024-09-20Protesters allied with Black Lives Matter shut down London City Airport runway
LONDON -- All flights out of London City Airport were disrupted when nine protestors who said they w2024-09-20Hillary Clinton reveals to 'Humans of New York' what it takes to be a woman in politics
Hillary Clinton has been loudly criticized for looking like a robot, acting emotionally distant and2024-09-20MashReads Podcast: What makes a good summer read?
Summer is coming to a close and that means one thing -- last-minute vacations! 。SEE ALSO:'Ice Cream B2024-09-20Lindsay Lohan's lawsuit against 'Grand Theft Auto V' dismissed
Lindsay Lohan's lawsuit against the publisher of Grand Theft Auto Vwas dismissed by a panel of New Y2024-09-20
最新评论