In the Google Play Store for Android Devices a new game has recently debuted: Bomb Gaza. You’re flying a fighter jet with an Israeli flag painted on it. Your aim is to bomb Hamas terrorists.
Another part of this game is the civilians – however, you get a point penalty if you kill one of them.
Users have been flagging this game, thus getting Google ’s attention on it. This resulted in Google deleting the game. In the meantime, it has been downloaded 1.000 times.
As opposed to Apple, Google doesn’t require confirmation for their apps. Google also doesn’t automatically check the content of the apps in the store. This kind of system is a two-sided coin. On the one hand it makes it far easier for app developers to add new content, on the other hand apps like “Bomb Gaza” exist.
Only if a user flags an app, it is checked out by Google. Furthermore, Google has a list of guidelines for developers, thus app users and developers can see if an app is violating Google’s guidelines.
Considering the countless casualities due to the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians, macabre games like “Bomb Gaza” definitely cross the border of what’s funny and what’s just tasteless. With apps like that, I am glad that Google sometimes does censor their play store.
Information Source: http://www.focus.de/digital/handy/aufregung-um-smartphone-game-google-schmeisst-bomb-gaza-spiel-aus-dem-play-store_id_4039634.html
Image Source: www.focus.de
