Google Pulls Reddit App for Linking to Porn

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — The Google Play store has pulled a 3rd-party Reddit Android app claiming it is a “Violation of the sexually explicit material provision of the Content Policy.”

According to reports, the Reddit Is Fun app links users to the Reddit social news site’s front page and to an automatically-generated list of subreddits that contains NSFW content.

Both paid and free versions of the recently updated version 2.0 of the app (that had more than 10,000 positive reviews on Google's Market page) were yanked by Google.

It’s not clear whether Google itself flagged the app or was tipped off by unhappy users.

The app’s maker, Andrew Shu, said he received a notice from Google claiming his Reddit app allowed users to access “sexually explicit material” on their phones and tablets.

A provision in Google Play Developer Content Policies states: “Your application shouldn’t contain content that displays (via text, images, video, or other media) or links to:  (…) Pornography, obscenity, nudity, or sexual activity.”

Shu posted a thread on Reddit's r/Android discussion forum after his app was pulled that read, “Wow. I wasn’t expecting this. I got 2 emails from the Google Play Store telling me my apps, reddit is fun lite and pro, have been banned for sexually explicit material.

“I’m not sure how to go about appealing this. After all it’s true that Reddit content includes NSFW content. Not sure exactly why my app was singled out and the other reddit apps weren’t, though.

Any thoughts? Should I even bother appealing? As always I appreciate your input, /r/android. Thanks.”

He also asked advice on via a thread on Google Plus.

Critics are confused over Google’s move considering the Android Market Google Play store has a “high maturity” rating that should allowed Reddit Is Fun.

It’s being argued that because the app was streaming content directly from Reditt’s servers and allowing it to access NSFW message boards, by the same token, Google should then delete its own web browser from all Android phones.

There is also speculation in the tech community that Google may be parroting Apple’s no-porn stance and possible trouble ahead for adult-friendly developers.

Tech writer Violet Blue said on ZDNet that Google’s stance is problematic on a number of levels and also raised concern about Google going the way of Apple. “There is no single, agreed-upon definition of pornography or obscenity. Nor is Google Play defining these terms.

“Besides the fact that it’s an awful and short-sighted policy that dooms Google Play to a lifetime of uneven enforcement. The provision, and the way it has been acted upon, allows Google Play to effectively pull an iTunes,” she said.

“At the outset of the App Store, Steve Jobs singled out 'porn' as one of the things that would be prohibited from its virtual shelves. Jobs famously said in 2008 that people who ‘want porn’ can buy an Android phone,” Blue continued.

Shu told ZDNet that he has been advised by Google's Android Developer Relations team to begin the appeals process.

In the interim, the app is available at github.com.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

UK Lawmaker Calls for Appointment of 'Porn Minister'

Baroness Gabrielle Bertin, the Conservative member of Parliament who recently convened a new anti-pornography task force, is calling for the appointment of a “minister for porn,” according to British news outlet The Guardian.

FSC Toasts Jeffrey Douglas for 30 Years of Service

n the very same evening when the adult industry was hit hard by the Supreme Court ruling supporting Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181, members of the Free Speech Coalition board, staff and supporters gathered to celebrate Jeffrey Douglas’ 30 years as board chair — a fitting reflection of his reputation as an eternal optimist.

TTS Opens UK Testing Location

Talent Testing Service (TTS) has opened a new U.K. location in Ware, Hertfordshire.

FSC: Age-Verification Laws Go Into Effect South Dakota, Georgia, Wyoming on July 1

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has published a statement regarding new age verification laws set to go into effect tomorrow in South Dakota, Georgia, and Wyoming.

FSC Responds to Supreme Court Decision on Texas AV Law

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has released a statement responding to last week's Supreme Court decision on FSC v. Paxton, the Texas age verification law.

Sex Work CEO Debuts Upgraded 'GPTease' AI Assistant

Sex Work CEO has introduced the new Canvas in-chat editing feature to its AI-powered, NSFW text generator, GPTease.

UPDATED: Supreme Court Rules Against Adult Industry in Pivotal Texas AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday issued its decision in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, striking a blow against the online adult industry by ruling in support of Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

North Carolina Passes Extreme Bill Targeting Adult Sites

The North Carolina state legislature this week ratified a bill that would impose new regulations that industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most adult creators and content.

Supreme Court Ruling Due Friday in FSC v. Paxton AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court will rule on Friday in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, the adult industry trade association's challenge to Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

Ofcom: More Porn Providers Commit to Age Assurance Measures

A number of adult content providers operating in the U.K. have confirmed that they plan to introduce age checks in compliance with the Online Safety Act by the July 25 deadline, according to U.K. media regulator Ofcom.

Show More