Google Banning Tethering Apps from Android Market
By James Falconer on Tuesday, March 31st, 2009 at 6:14 AM PST In Android, Developer, GPhone
If you’ve been hoping that Google (NSDQ: GOOG) and the Android Market would allow a truly ‘open’ experience… and have been getting tired of the banned apps that seem to flow down the pipe out of the Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) App Store… It looks like Google might be starting to head down that same road.
According to Seth, an Android Developer and ‘False Dichotomies‘ co-host, the Android Market has started to ban tethering apps for violating the Developer Distribution Agreement. Seth’s very own tethering app, ‘WiFi Tether for Root Users’ has been given the boot, and the explanation offered to him on the ban is a ‘rather twisted web’. Google’s explanation:
“Google enters into distribution agreements with device manufacturers and Authorized Carriers to place the Market software client application for the Market on Devices. These distribution agreements may require the involuntary removal of Products in violation of the Device manufacturer’s or Authorized Carrier’s terms of service.”
“Your Data Plan is intended for Web browsing, messaging, and similar activities on your device and not on any other equipment. Unless explicitly permitted by your Data Plan, other uses, including for example, tethering your device to a personal computer or other hardware, are not permitted.”
Interesting to say the least. Would be nice to hear more from Google, to hear if they’re always going to ‘tether’ their own terms of service with the carrier… In this case, T-Mobile (NYSE: DT). Seth goes on to question the decision, and raises a few questions regarding ToS’s for T-Mo and other carriers:
“Android phones are supposed to be released for other carriers in the future, right? Does this mean that apps in the Market have to adhere to the ToS for only T-Mobile, even when other carriers sign on? Will all apps have to adhere to the ToS for every carrier that supports Android phones?”
We’re going to hear more on this one in the days ahead for sure. What are your thoughts?
[Via: AndroidCommunity]
I made two calls to T-Mobile to confirm specifically that tethering was allowed on the G1 data plan, and it is. Google needs to get its story straight.