Element is a popular client for the Federal Chat Protocol Matrix, and we highlighted it in our review of the best open source alternatives to Google Hangouts last year (back then when it was called Riot.im). Unfortunately, the app was removed from the Google Play Store without warning, which is apparently another case of Google deceiving third-party client applications to provide all the visible content.
Element announced yesterday on Twitter that the app has been suspended in the Play Store without any notice from Google. The service later received confirmation that the removal was due to offensive content, but since Element is a Matrix server client only, the ban appears to be another example of Google misleading third-party client content. as content offered by the developer. The same removals have happened in the last few years with many other client applications.
Element explained the situation in a blog post:
At 2021-01-29 at 21:35 UTC, Google Element was suspended from the Play Store without warning or notice. We filed an appeal at 23:18 requesting clarification, and at 05:31 we received a general update from the Google Play policy team stating that the app had been removed due to content that violated their terms of use, and we asked for ‘the necessary changes to [our] app ”and“ upload a new app using a new package name and a new app name ”.
As of 11:44 UTC, we’ve filed a detailed call to reiterate that Element is a generic chat app to connect to the global Matrix communications network, just as Chrome is a generic web browser to connect to the Internet – and just like Google does. does not control the content on the web, Element does not control the content on Matrix.
We also explained that the Matrix servers we use do as Element (including the standard Matrix.org homeowner, which we manage on behalf of The Matrix.org Foundation), has strict terms of use that we actively apply. We abhor abuse, and Element is not an app that provides insulting content.
Hopefully Element will return to the Play Store soon. In the meantime, you can still download the app from APKMirror or F-Droid.
