Android Question Google rejects the application.

[kisoft]

Hi
I wanted to put a simple application on Google that displays the content of the website.
Google has rejected the application and I received this message:

Issue: Violation of Device and Network Abuse policy
We don’t allow apps that interfere with, disrupt, damage, or access in an unauthorized manner the user’s device, other devices or computers, servers, networks, application programming interfaces (APIs), or services, including but not limited to other apps on the device, any Google service, or an authorized carrier’s network.

Your app shouldn’t access or use the service or API in a manner that violates its terms of service. For example, your app shouldn't download, monetize, or access YouTube videos in a way that violates the YouTube Terms of Service.
The page is loaded by:

WebView1.LoadUrl("https://XXXXXXXX.com")

The site has a link to the video from YT. Could this be the reason why the application was rejected by Google?

 

[Computersmith64]

I think that's pretty much what the message from Play Store says - but you'd have to read the YouTube terms of service to see if you're doing something they prohibit.

- Colin.

 

[KMatle]

No wonder if it just displays a WEBSITE which a user can type on her/his own. Why then install your app?!

 

[kisoft]

@KMatle I do not think this is the reason for rejection. In addition, the app does a few other things . I appealed against this decision. I asked Google to provide specific reasons for declining the application .

 

[kisoft]

Hi
I received a response from Google

Thanks for contacting the Google Play team.

I’ve reviewed your appeal request and found that your app still violates Google Play Policy.

During review, we found that your app violates the Device and Network Abuse policy by enabling background play of YouTube videos.

 

[Marcob]

I think the cause of Google rejection is not the kind of video you are displaying but the way you are doing it.
By using a WebView the video will keep playing also when the app is in background and that is what Google doesn't allow.
I suggest you open a video through an intent to the internal browser.

 

[kisoft]

You mean something like that

   Dim i As Intent
    i.Initialize(i.ACTION_VIEW, "http://xxxxxxxxxx.com")
    i.SetComponent("com.android.chrome")
    StartActivity(I)

I am not convinced that this will solve the problem. I will probably have to get a written permission from YT.
YouTube Terms of Service.

 

[Marcob]

Here is a simpler way to do it:

Dim p As PhoneIntents
Dim url As String = "http://xxxxxxxxxx.com" 
StartActivity(p.OpenBrowser(url))

 

[kisoft]

@markob Thank you very much for your help