Hello,
Google has removed our free GfxTablet app from Google Play because
- GfxTablet (as a free and open-source app) has a popup with a link to a donation page,
- and this link does not comply to their Payments policy.
Our appeal, in which we have argued that users are not “charged” in any way, nor that it is possible to “buy” anything in GfxTablet (because donations do not change the functionality), has been rejected:
After review, your app GfxTablet (at.bitfire.gfxtablet) has been administratively rejected pending verification of your organization’s charity status. Donations may only be collected within an app under certain conditions:
-
Donations are only permitted for validated non-profit charitable organizations (for example, a validated 501
(3) charitable organization or the local equivalent).
-
Donations must be facilitated via a web browser, and any collection must be made through a secure payment system.
If you belong to an eligible charitable organization, please follow these steps:
-
Attach a copy of your organization’s IRS determination letter or other acceptable proof in your reply to this notification. The provided information must indicate your status as a charitable organization.
-
Ensure your app only facilitates donations via a web browser as specified above.
-
Resubmit your app for review.
Alternatively, if you are not a charitable organization, you must remove the donation functionality from your app [highlighting by Google], or accept payment through Google Play’s in-app billing service or Paid app distribution on the Play Store. You can learn more about in-app billing in our Help Center:
http://developer.android.com/google/play/billing/index.html
Once the issue has been resolved, please resubmit your app for review.
Note that all of these conditions need to be fulfilled for us to reinstate your app.
Because we’re neither a charity organization (although we make open-source), nor do we have the time and desire to fiddle around in GfxTablet because of Google’s demands, nor are we greedy for 1* ratings, please use the alternative download locations mentioned on the GfxTablet homepage.