One of the best Android podcast apps has been suspended from the Google Play Store [Update: It's back]

By John Callaham
last updated

Update: It looks like Google has lifted its suspension as the Podcast Addict app is available to download again from the Google Play Store (opens in new tab).

Original story: Podcast Addict, one of the best podcast apps for Android users, has been suspended from the Google Play Store. According to a message that was sent to the developer of the app by Google, Podcast Addict was found to be in violation of the store's "sexually explicit material provision of the Content Policy".

In a statement on the official Podcast Addict Facebook page, it states:

Like any app displaying 3rd party content, Podcast Addict allows you to see/watch/listen to explicit sexual content if you want to. The same applies to any web browser, podcast app, news app, search engine, ... But like those other kind of apps, podcast apps also allows you to get informed, to learn things, to be entertained, ...Podcast Addict was the #1 podcast app on the Play Store with 4M downloads, 175K reviews and an average rating of 4.6/5 The app almost had 500K daily users and more than 1M episodes were listened to everyday through the app...

Hopefully this situation will be rectified soon as merely a misunderstanding.

Source: Podcast Addict (Facebook)

68 Comments
  • Something stinks here. Moto X 2013 (U.S. Cellular)
  • Yeah, it's Google. They've **** the bed. Posted via the Android Central App
  • This is absurd.. I use it for my daily dose of podcasts during commute and would hate to see it go from play store.. Purchased pro a week back to support the developer Posted via the Android Central App
  • And when will they remove Google Search, because I can use it to find porn as well? Sounds like good grounds for a lawsuit, they are making their own search be the only one they 'allow' to find sexually explicit podcasts with.
  • .
  • Just use Stitcher Posted via the Android Central App
  • That is not the solution to this issue. Eventually they will block every podcast app since they can all be used to cast explicit content. Posted via the Android Central App
  • There's always sideload Posted via the Android Central App
  • Until the developer wants to update the app.
  • Lots of "aftermarket" sites also host the updated apps. Moto X 2013 (U.S. Cellular)
  • Then they update the apk? That's nothing difficult mate. Posted via the Android Central App on my Frost Nexus 6P
  • As a developer that still has users on versions from a couple years back, I can say it's not as easy as it sounds. It's a major pain for both the developer and the user when the updates aren't automatic. And 3rd party stores tend to be sketchy (outside of trusted ones like Amazon).
  • What a farce... Posted via the Android Central App
  • Probably just automated stuff gone awry again. Still, not good. :-/
  • Time to switch to PocketCasts people ... Best cross platform podcast app out there !!!
  • Agreed. Love that damn app. Posted via the Android Central App
  • PocketCast? That app for getting sexually explicit content? Perv. I think you've entirely missed the point here. Posted via the Android Central App
  • +1 Posted via the Android Central App
  • -1 Posted via the Android Central App
  • Hahaha, dumb dumb! Posted via the Android Central App
  • +1 Posted via the Android Central App
  • iOS, here I come. Posted via the Android Central App
  • Lol because Apple is so tolerant of adult content in their app store. Posted via the Android Central App
  • Just use Pocket Casts. Best Podcast app on Android. Posted via the Android Central App
  • And when that gets removed for the same reason? This needs to be resolved, not whitewashed. Posted via the Android Central App
  • lol, good luck with that chief ... this is definitely alarming, but if you think iOS is any better you're in for a surprise.
  • So when something is removed from the app store you don't have the option to sideload it. Makes sense. Posted via the Android Central App
  • iOS is even stricter. They've banned pictures of guns which sucks for games that actively use guns and other nonsense... Posted via the Android Central App on my Frost Nexus 6P
  • I can still see the app in the Play store. Did it get resolved already? It says Podcast Addict is available to purchase
  • That's probably the donate "app". You still have to have the base app, which I am not seeing in the play store currently. Posted via the Android Central App
  • Only the donate app is available in the Play store, but without the main app, you can not use it :-(
    For now, only the people who have downloaded the app before it was banished can still use it.
    Hopefully Google will see their robots screwed up somewhere and will fix it!
  • it was probably a complaint placed against them that kicked off the automated response, angry parent or dickish competitor.
  • Hopefully this is an error, if not, Google is taking a big step in the wrong direction. Posted via the Android Central App
  • a huge step. I could do without adult content, but I'd at the very least like to be in control of what content I chose to enjoy. you're right, unless this is some error or miscommunication, it's a big step in the wrong direction.
  • Exactly. I don't want a play pen play store. They have parental controls, if I want to block adult content myself, I have the ability. I don't need Google deciding for me. Posted via the Android Central App
  • It has to be an error, otherwise Google will have to not only take down every other podcast app, but every browser and search app too. Hell, they'd have to take most of their own apps down. After all, you can attach naked photos and videos to an email, so clearly GMail is an adult content app. Posted via the Android Central App
  • Yeah, either it's an error, or something else happened and we're not getting the whole story here. Posted via the Android Central App
  • Even if by error doesn't Google have a no compromise 3 strikes and you're out rule?
  • Not sure... it would be incredibly stupid if they did though. Posted via the Android Central App
  • I'll check out pocket casts till this is resolved, but what a bunch of BS this is. Google doesn't need to play mommy and daddy. Very disappointed right now.
  • WHAT?!?! I've tried other Podcast apps and don't really like them. I hope everything pans out well for them. Weird part is that I just refreshed my feed today and I'm listening to some podcasts now :)
  • Amazing how this is happening just before Google adds podcasts to their Music app. Posted via the Android Central App
  • This is what I was wondering... Posted via the Android Central App
  • Oh **** that's right! I forgot about that. Moto X 2013 (U.S. Cellular)
  • You too???? Posted via the Android Central App
  • This gets the boot from the GP Store, but Cheetah Mobile's malware laced clusterf--k of apps stay? *slow clap* Posted via the Android Central App
  • Yep. That irks me a lot too. If we're talking about a closed platform like iOS, their apps would get the boot almost instantly. But hey, we love open-source platforms, so we just live with the caveats. I personally just don't bother with their crap.
  • I just downloaded this 2 days ago as I don't want to pay 7.00 for beyondpods cluttered interface. Switching from podcast addict is not the solution to this issue. It could happen with any app. Clarity as to why the suspension would be great when and if it gets resolved. Posted via the Android Central App
  • I highly recommend PlayerFM for podcasts Posted via the Android Central App
  • Wtf????? Posted via the Android Central App
  • Agree that it was probably an automated thing. So when are we going to start the witch hunt for the person responsible (who reported it originally)? :-)
  • Some troll triggered an automated ban or something. It'll probably get sorted out soon. Posted via TCP/IP
  • Seriously...what's the big deal?
    http://www.apkmirror.com/apk/xavier-guillemane/podcast-addict/podcast-ad...
  • Some users prefer not to sideload. Moto X 2013 (U.S. Cellular)
  • The big deal was that legitimate apps shouldn't be removed from the play store with no good reason. Anyway, a lot of people don't know how to side load and even more shouldn't... Posted via the Android Central App
  • PremoFM is another great option and it's free. :-) https://www.androidcentral.com/e?link=https2F2F...
  • Use to use this myself for a long time. What happen to google now has a human to check before it pulls anything or notifies the Dev and gives them a chance to fix before removing. Guess that was all a lie Posted via the Android Central App
  • Pocket Casts Posted via the Android Central App
  • It's back in the Play Store now.
  • Chrome lets you explore any dark part of the internet you want to. Time to ban that? Oh, wait. You have to take responsibility to how you use the app. What a concept.
  • Dear Google, dont be Apple.
    Signed a user who appreciates you not being Apple. Posted via the Android Central App
  • LOL so we should ban chrome and Instagram because you could potentially view restricted content? This app is one if the first 10 I install on my phone. Glad its back. Google play is becoming the app store now
  • If you aren't using Pocket Casts, you are doing it wrong.
  • +1 Posted via the Android Central App
  • Podcast Republic is my go-to podcast app. Simple with a fantastic search feature. Posted via the Android Central App
  • Something tells me this was an error caused by a bot gone rogue. The Google Play Store isn't like Apple's iOS App Store when it comes to explicit content. It's not as tightly regulated.
  • What a silly "reason" for Google to "suspend" the app. If this were genuine, then every browser app would be "suspended".
    I wouldn't be surprised if the real motivation was because firearms related casts could be viewed.
    Google has gone anti-gun, hardcore, lately. They have "suspended" Google + pages, for political reasons.
  • Using its reasoning, will Google have "no-drive" blackout zones for the self-driving cars to keep the occupants from riding through areas of prostitution or traveling to strip joints? Posted via the Android Central App