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Android Ad-Blocking App Returns to Google Play

 & Stephanie Mlot Contributor

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Following the removal of Rocketship's Adblock Fast from Google Play, the ad-blocking app is back in Google's app store.

"We're happy to report that Google has reversed their decision, both accepting our appeal in an email sent to us on Friday evening and approving and republishing Adblock Fast by the time we woke up this morning," Rocketship wrote in a blog post.

Earlier this month, Samsung added support for ad-blocking technology on its Android browser. The first app to take advantage was Adblock Fast, which promised fewer distractions while surfing the mobile Web. Rival service Crystal soon followed suit.

But just three days later, Google pulled Adblock Fast, but not before it was downloaded a reported 50,000-plus times.

According to TechCrunch, which cited "a source with knowledge of the situation," Google initially planned to only support mobile browsers that could block ads—including those with built-in features (Adblock Plus browser), and ones that support ad blocking via extensions (Firefox, Javelin, Dolphin). The company, however, decided that standalone ad-blocking apps distributed via APKs did not meet its new standards. Still, while Adblock Fast was removed from the store, Crystal remained, but was prevented from applying an app update.

Adblock Fast was accused of "prohibited acts," like distributing apps that interfere with other installed services—i.e. blocking profitable advertisements. Technically, Adblock Fast disrupts websites, as defined by the terms and conditions. But it was sanctioned by the Samsung Internet app and used an official API to block content. Google's change of heart, according to TechCrunch, applies to those apps that integrate with another app through authorized channels; apps that interfere with other services are still prohibited.

So, feel free to once again download Adblock Fast for Android, which also got an update to extend support to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and above.

This article originally appeared on PCMag.com.

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Stephanie Mlot

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