Google Play removes Taliban app on its Play Store over Hate Speech Concerns

Internet tech giants Google also the acquirers of Android OS have removed a propaganda app created by Taliban militants over hate speech concerns.

The App called "Pashto Afghan News - Alemara," that was initially accepted on the Play store, reportedly featured videos and statements from the group's main website. The app granted users to access the group's Pashto website, which is now part of a growing digital campaign by the Taliban to grow its audience. The company removed an app created by the Taliban from its Play Store on Saturday. The app was reportedly published to Google Play on April 1, 2016, a spokesperson said.

"We don't allow apps that advocate against groups of people based on their race or ethnic origin, religion, disability, gender, age, nationality, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity," a Google spokesperson said.

A spokesperson for Google confirmed the app had been removed but, in a statement provided media, declined to comment further on the app in question."While we don't comment on specific apps, we can confirm that our policies are designed to provide a great experience for users and developers. That's why we remove apps from Google Play that violate those policies" it said. Google's developer policy for the Play Store prohibits apps that promote hate speech, violence and illegal activities.

The app's existence was first reported organization that tracks online activities of majority or about all terrorist organizations. Taliban spokesperson however did confirm that the app which is coded to be displayed in Pashto version was created by the organization which reportedly displayed pictures and images along with other messages from the app. Google last year, implemented a review process for Android developers requiring that apps mandatorily had to go through an approval process before making their way to the Play Store.

Though the review process depends on a team of human editors and not just algorithms apps are typically approved within a few hours due to high inflow of app allowance requests on the store (compared with Apple's App Store, which can take several days or weeks).So it is possible that some apps may silently sneak in to the play store. This is not the first time Google has removed an app for violating its policies. The company removed two about Gaza bombings in 2014. And last year the company removed several apps with Confederate flag imagery.