In the world of technology we are using millions of mobile apps that not only easy our work or save our time but also save money some times. Some are the most famous apps are restricted in some countries. Today I will discuss you some of the top ten Android, Apple or Other Banned Apps Globally.
#1 VIBER
Over 200 million users call, text and send photos using Viber – but not in Saudi Arabia, where the app was suspended in June. The Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC) banned the app saying that it broke local laws. Blocking VoIP apps is a growing trend in the Middle East with Skype banned in the United Arab Emirates in May, and Egypt considering banning WhatsApp and Viber due to economic and security concerns. Regional industry sources claim the free chat apps are undercutting money made by national telecommunications, while human rights groups claim the move represents a crackdown on free speech.
#2 DROPBOX
Dropbox ranks is 2 in banned apps. Computer technology giant IBM caused controversy in March last year when they forbid their 400,000 employees from using Dropbox. When employees could be using time-wasting apps such as Angry Birds or iPlayer on their devices, some might think it counter-productive to ban the cloud storage app from the workplace, but IBM cited security issues. As Dropbox user data is stored on third-party servers, they claimed data was therefore beyond user control and with uncertain encryption. However, IBM is not the only employer to say no to this storage. According to ZD.net, Dropbox is the number one app banned by employers on both iOS and Android.
#3 HAILO
As the city with the highest number of taxis in North America, mobile cab-booking app Hailo was eager to take a bite out of the Big Apple’s business. However, they were quickly hit with a roadblock when the Taxi and Limousine Commission said Hailo would violate the city’s ban on prearranged rides. Even when New York decided to launch a pilot scheme to test the technology, it was beset by delays with injunctions and restraining orders, until the matter reached the State Supreme Court. On winning the court case, Mayor Michael Bloomberg described being able to use Hailo as “a victory for everyone who lives in, works in or visits New York City.”
#4 GOOGLE APPS FOR BUSINESS
Ordinary apps such as Gmail, Google Drive and Calendar were banned in June by Sweden’s Data Inspection Board over privacy concerns. This is part of a growing trend of run-ins with local government bodies across Europe, with similar incidents in Spain and Norway as well as with the European Commission. This does not bode well for Google, who offer the apps as part of a subscription based office suite. The Swedish regulator said there isn’t enough information on how Google handles the data, but did not rule out reinstatement
#5 GROOVESHARK
This music streaming app has been removed from both the App Store and Play Store – on more than one occasion by Google. The app provides free access to songs by enabling users to post their own music. Apple took months to approve the app, but following a compliant from the UK once of Universal Music Group in 2010 over copyright issues, deleted it. Google followed suit in 2011, only to controversially accept Grooveshark back into the Android fold the following year and was removed only a week later. Grooveshark relaunched as a desktop web service and a remote control app for smartphone and is available to download from both iTunes and Google Play.
#6 BANG WITH FRIENDS
This adult-only app allows users to covertly arrange booty calls with like-minded Facebook friends. To ensure privacy and discretion, only Facebook friends who both use the app and have indicated that they would be interested in getting to know each other better can contact one another. Bang with Friends mobile app gained 200,000 sign-ups in a week before being pulled from the App Store without explanation. Still, despite being jilted early on by Apple, Bang with Friends continues life as a web service and a readily available Android app on the slightly less prudish Google Play Store.
#7 ADBLOCK PLUS
As well as being a popular plug-in for Firefox, the advertisement filter Adblock Plus was available as an Android app until March. The app would block all banners, pop-ups and video ads – even on Facebook on YouTube – as well as prevent companies tracking your online presence. However, the blocker became the blocked when Google decided to remove the app from Google Play for violating its Developer Distribution Agreement – the contract between Google and all Android app developers. Still, the Adblock Plus app is not entirely off the radar, as it’s readily available for download from the company’s website at adblockplus.org.
#8 EMINEM RELAPSE
Hiphop star Snoop Dog has had recent App Store success with a Tekken style fighting game called Way of the Dogg, however he is not the first rapper to try his hand at mobile gaming. Eminem launched a side-scrolling, ultra-violent beat-’em-up tying in with the release of his Relapse album. In the game, you controlled the controversial rapper going on murderous rampage with several weapons fighting zombies.
#9 500PX
This arty photo-sharing app was unceremoniously booted out of the App store, when Apple claimed new search functions made it easier to view pornographic images. The app was quick to make a distinction between adult content and their artistic nudes. In the same week Twitter’s newly-launched video app Vine accidentally selected a hardcore porn video as an Editor’s Pick, leading to moral outrage and claims that the App Store had a ‘porn problem‘. Nonetheless, 500px was allowed to return within a week once they had added a button to report inappropriate content and gained a 17+ age restriction.
#10 WIKILEAKS – the last in Banned Apps
The whistle blowing website and brainchild of Julian Assange, WikiLeaks, had an iPhone app for all of three days back in 2010. Despite costing $1.99, the app was actually unofficial, produced by Russian developer Igor Barinov, and provided a portal in which to read tweets from the @Wikileaks account. Barinov said that $1 from each app download would be donated to Assange’s organization. While initially approved, Apple removed the app saying it breached their guidelines. The removal came at a time when a series of firms – including Amazon, Visa, MasterCard and PayPal – cut ties, such as the processing of donations, with Wikileaks.
These are the some most famous banned apps that were partially or fully blocked in some countries. Now its your turn to write more about Banned Apps here in comment box.
