Trump's Truth Social app is not available on the Google Play Store due to a lack of content moderation, Google says.
The company issued a statement today, several days after Truth Social CEO Devin Nunes implied in a TV interview Google was responsible for the holdup. "When are we going to be available on Android? Well look, that’s up to the Google Play Store. We’re waiting on them to approve us,” Nunes told Real America’s Voice. "I don’t know what’s taking so long.”
Google tells PCMag that Truth Social has been made well-aware of why the app still isn’t available on the Play Store.
“On August 19 we notified Truth Social of several violations of standard policies in their current app submission and reiterated that having effective systems for moderating user-generated content is a condition of our terms of service for any app to go live on Google Play,” the company said in a statement. “Last week Truth Social wrote back acknowledging our feedback and saying that they are working on addressing these issues.”
Axios was first to report the news.
The company also told PCMag that Nunes misrepresented the ongoing dialogue Google is having with Truth Social about how to meet the app store’s requirements. Google points out the Play Store’s policies prohibit content that includes physical threats and incitements to violence.
Truth Social does have some content-moderation systems already in place to take down illegal activities. Nevertheless, some posts that imply incitements of violence can still circulate there. Earlier this month, the US House Committee on Oversight and Reform sent a letter to Truth Social to voice concern about a surge of online threats appearing on the platform after the FBI raided Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence.
“One user on Truth Social posted, ‘Fuck the Feds! The Second Amendment is not about shooting deer! Lock and load!’ Another wrote, ‘Arm yourselves! We are about to enter into Civil War!’”
In response to Google, Truth Social's parent Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG) issued a statement that says: "TMTG has continuously worked in good faith with Google to ensure that the Truth Social Android App complies with Google's policies without compromising our promise to be a haven for free speech... We look forward to Google approving Truth Social at their earliest convenience."
Still, Trump's company implied that threats of violence can circulate on other social media platforms such as Twitter, which is available on the Google Play Store. TMTG cited a still-available tweet from US Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-California) about the US going to war with gun-owners who want to protect the Second Amendment.
"Moreover, some of our competitors' apps are allowed in the Google Play Store despite rampantly violating Google's prohibition on sexual content and other policies, whereas Truth Social has zero tolerance for sexually explicit content," TMTG added.
In the meantime, Google says Truth Social isn’t banned from the Play Store. In fact, the company points out that Trump’s social media platform is currently available for pre-order there.
Truth Social is also available on the Apple App Store and over the web.