The Downloader App from AFTVNews has officially been reinstated to the Google Play Store for Android TV & Google TV devices. This follows a nearly month-long hiatus caused by a copyright infringement claim from a law firm representing Israeli TV Companies.
The removal of Downloader from Google Play on May 19th was triggered by a DMCA takedown request alleging that the browser could load infringing content. This claim seemed implausible as it would implicate other popular browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Brave, and more in similar copyright infringement.
AFTVNews promptly contested the removal of Downloader but their appeal was denied. Subsequently, a DMCA Counter-Notification was submitted mandating the law firm to take legal action within 10 business days or face the app’s reinstatement.
Following the expiry of the 10-day period without any legal action, AFTVNews sought Google’s intervention to reinstate the app. Although Google lifted the suspension, the app faced rejection due to an invalid data safety form.
Elias Saba, the app’s owner, shared a detailed account of the situation to clarify the matter. He explained that Google alleged the app collected email addresses without disclosure, which he attributed to the email signup form on the app’s web browser.
In response, Elias modified the form to acknowledge the email collection. Despite the app not collecting or sharing personal information, Google labeled Downloader as gathering and sharing “personal info.”
During Downloader’s absence from the Google Play Store for 3 weeks, it lost 47% of its active users. Cord-cutters heavily rely on the app on Android TV Devices, highlighting its significance.
Support Elias by leaving a positive review for the Downloader App to aid its recovery. For those who sideloaded the Downloader App previously, it is recommended to uninstall and reinstall it from the Google Play Store for access to the latest updates.
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