Google deletes Taliban App from Play Store

A propaganda application developed by the Islamic fundamentalist group Taliban has been removed from the Google Play store for allegedly promoting hate speech.

Almerah, an app exclusive for Android users, was live on Google Play for two days before being booted on Monday after going through the company’s app review process, as per BBC reports.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahed described the app while speaking with business media outlet, Bloomberg, ”as part of the [Taliban’s] advanced technological efforts to make more global audience,”

Almerah’s disappearance from the digital distribution platform was noticed on Sunday, with Mujahed claiming it was taken down due to  “technical issues.”

BBC, however, revealed that it was actually removed by the multinational company itself.

The app’s hidden agenda was discovered and reported by a US-based organization called Site Intel Group, which monitors jihadist activity online.

“Our policies are designed to provide a great experience for users and developers,” Google said in a statement to the BBC. “That’s why we remove apps from Google Play that violate those policies.”

The Taliban has sought to expand its propaganda operations on social media and other web platforms, in an effort to reach wider audiences. The group’s website has been translated into five languages, including English and Arabic, while regularly publishing news on its Twitter and Facebook accounts.

This marks something of a shift for the Taliban, which long shunned modern technology during its rule in Afghanistan.

As of Tuesday morning, Google has yet to release updates regarding the application’s ban. Khristian Ibarrola, INQUIRER.NET