Alphabet Inc.’s Google LLC has allowed former US President Donald Trump’s social media app, Truth Social, to be available for download on Play Store nearly two months after the search giant banned the app due to the lack of content moderation policies.
Google stated that Truth Social operator Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG) is expected to offer the app on the Play Store soon.
Addressing Content Moderation Issues
Truth Social was first released in the US on Apple Inc.’s App Store in February, but insufficient content moderation prevented the app from being listed immediately on the Play Store.
The California-based search engine previously had concerns over Truth Social’s breaches of its Play Store rules on forbidding content that incites violence or contains physical threats.
Google said it allows apps on the Play Store, provided that they follow developer guidelines, including effectively moderating user-generated content and removing offensive posts like ones containing incitements to violence.
In September, the tech company approved of social app Parler’s return to the Play Store after it banned the platform in January 2021 due to its lack of moderation on posts inciting violence at the US Capitol.
Truth Social has agreed to implement moderation measures on such forms of content that the tech company requires.
However, it remains unclear how the app would manage hate speech. Compared to the mainstream social networks it aims to compete against, Truth Social has no policies against hate. Still, Google’s user-generated content rules clearly prohibit posting content that incites hatred.
Play Store is the primary means for Android phone users in the US to download apps. While other stores are available and certain apps can be downloaded directly on a website, users are often required to complete additional steps and security permissions.
Without the support of Google and Apple’s stores, smartphone users are unable to access Truth Social easily. Android phones currently represent 40% of the US smartphone market.
