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Google Bans Apps From Displaying Lock Screen Ads (androidpolice.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the cease-and-desist dept.

Google is banning lock screen ads from the Play Store. In the new section on Google's developer monetization page, Google says: "Unless the exclusive purpose of the app is that of a lock screen, apps may not introduce ads or features that monetize the locked display of a device." Android Police reports: So, an app that bills itself as a photo editor, VPN, or file explorer cannot also cram a new lock screen on your device that's infested with ads. However, an app that is actually a lock screen can still monetize with ads. Presumably, you know what you're getting when you install a lock screen app. This policy change is long overdue. It's been a few years since these ads started showing up, and it's getting pretty out of hand.

58 comments

  1. Took long enough by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Now how about making it easier to block bullshit notifications?

    1. Re: Took long enough by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      All notifications can be blocked on a per app basis. It's in the app manager.

    2. Re:Took long enough by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Long press any notification > "i" > "Block all"

  2. This was a thing? by The+Good+Reverend · · Score: 1

    I had no idea Android (Google?) phones displayed ads like that. Why would people put up with it?

    1. Re:This was a thing? by interkin3tic · · Score: 5, Informative

      Amazon sells fire tablets running amazon ads on the lockcreens. They sell them for cheaper than the non-ad versions.

      Presumably people put up with it for the same reason they put up with the far more annoying ads interrupting TV shows: they're used to it.

    2. Re:This was a thing? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Why would people put up with it?

      What else are you going to do? PAY for things?

    3. Re:This was a thing? by jetkust · · Score: 1

      I have an Amazon Moto G with lock-screen ads. They don' t bother me at all. It's probably the least annoying way to get an ad.

    4. Re:This was a thing? by freeze128 · · Score: 1

      People put up with ads because they don't want to PAY for apps. Ads can be ignored and forgotten - we are inundated with them every day, so it's easy to block them out.

    5. Re:This was a thing? by The+Good+Reverend · · Score: 2

      Oh, I'm fine with ads in games or other apps that I use but aren't worth paying for. But that's only while I'm using the app. Having them fill up your lockscreen with no way to remove them is a step too far.

    6. Re:This was a thing? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Amazon sells fire tablets running amazon ads on the lockcreens. They sell them for cheaper than the non-ad versions.

      Presumably people put up with it for the same reason they put up with the far more annoying ads interrupting TV shows: they're used to it.

      Why presume? You yourself noted that the consumer gets a direct and explicitly described financial benefit in exchange for allowing ads on their device.

      In no way is this a "they're used to it" situation. Its the exact remedy that many people request - give me the option to pay my way around seeing ads, or make it worth my while to be exposed to them.

      This was among the original "promises" of cable TV, IIRC, which was soon broken, not because people were used to ads on TV, but because providers figured they could have their cake and eat it to by charging people to view ads!

      Amazon's program is a small step forward, but I'm with OP -- Its nuts that apps creating lock-screen ads was ever a thing allowed on Android. WTH kind of shitty platform would allow that?

    7. Re:This was a thing? by swell · · Score: 1

      I seem to recall that these devices have screen technology that doesn't drain the battery. They can be on all the time- no problem. Not so with most phones & tablets.

      --
      ...omphaloskepsis often...
    8. Re:This was a thing? by AuMatar · · Score: 1

      That's kindle paperwhites, not Fire tablets. Fires have normal screens. They also have shit for sales.

      --
      I still have more fans than freaks. WTF is wrong with you people?
    9. Re:This was a thing? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Games aimed at young children. It's shocking to see what professional people will do to gain a buck from babysitting devices.

    10. Re: This was a thing? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I can see that. It is a locked screen. Ain't like ya stare at it. I barely look at mine. Don't use many apps tho. I'm not a big notifications person. I turn that shit off on every device I use.

    11. Re:This was a thing? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I have an Amazon Moto G with lock-screen ads.

      Moto G Plus (5th Generation) - Lunar Gray - 32 GB - Unlocked - Prime Exclusive - with Lockscreen Offers & Ads
      $229.99

      Moto G (5th Gen) G5 4G LTE Dual Sim XT1671 32GB Finger Print Reader Octa Core 2Gb Ram International Version
      $229.98

      LOL! You save money if you buy the unlocked, ad-free version.

    12. Re:This was a thing? by sad_ · · Score: 1

      I'm an android user and i had no idea that was a thing either. Ofcourse i don't install random apps on my phone like most people do.

      --
      On a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero.
    13. Re:This was a thing? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I also had no idea this was a thing on Android, and I've been using it for years

    14. Re:This was a thing? by cascadingstylesheet · · Score: 1

      Amazon sells fire tablets running amazon ads on the lockcreens. They sell them for cheaper than the non-ad versions. Presumably people put up with it for the same reason they put up with the far more annoying ads interrupting TV shows: they're used to it.

      Which can be removed with some adb commands while hooked up to a PC, BTW

      The number of people who will do that is a rounding error, so everybody wins. (Not like somebody willing to remove them was going to tap on such ads anyway.)

    15. Re:This was a thing? by cascadingstylesheet · · Score: 1

      Amazon sells fire tablets running amazon ads on the lockcreens. They sell them for cheaper than the non-ad versions.

      Which can be removed with some adb commands while hooked up to a PC, BTW. You don't even need root. The number of people who will do that is a rounding error, so everybody wins. (Not like somebody willing to remove them was going to tap on such ads anyway.)

    16. Re:This was a thing? by Dixie_Flatline · · Score: 1

      That seems like a different thing to me, though. Presumably Amazon is running ads for stuff that you can buy from them. At that point, they've already got my purchase history and are probably offering me things they know I'd like. If I were to buy a Fire Tablet, I'd almost certain want the one with ads even if it weren't that much cheaper; I'd be buying it for the service of advertising to me so I can buy from Amazon.

    17. Re:This was a thing? by tlhIngan · · Score: 1

      I had no idea Android (Google?) phones displayed ads like that. Why would people put up with it?

      Because of two facts.

      Android users are cheap, and Google features free over paid apps (in the early days). The latter came about when Google Pay/Wallet/Whatever was in two countries or so, so people with paid apps were hidden from all the other countries in the world. They adopted free apps in order to be sold worldwide, and to eat, so in-app ads and such were the way the developers were paid for free apps.

      The former just reflects on the fact that most android users will not pay for apps (as say, compared to iOS users). This directly affects whether or not developers will offer ad-free paid versions of an app.

  3. AdGuard by DatbeDank · · Score: 2

    I have a phone that's not possible to be rooted and i've been using the paid version of this app to block all of the ads.

    Until unlimited data plans become cheap and affordable AND malware ceases to be a vector from online ads, I will always block ads on principle and pay for my services I want to be ad-free.

    1. Re: AdGuard by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      If you end up finding a method to edit the hosts file on a "modern" Blackberry, I would be quite interested.

    2. Re:AdGuard by thegarbz · · Score: 3, Informative

      Until unlimited data plans become cheap and affordable AND malware ceases to be a vector from online ads

      Wow, talk about low on the list of reasons to block adverts. Let's add some:
      AND battery life isn't affected
      AND web pages / apps don't take forever to load.
      AND the device ceases interrupting me to view an advert (video ads are instant grounds for uninstalling apps)
      AND the ads stop taking up most of the content space
      AND ....

      Common people, chime in. I'm sure we can make this thread go on for ever. Forget malware and bandwidth. Ads are a blight on the entire mobile world right now.

    3. Re:AdGuard by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      AND the adverts only exist to feed the advertising scumbags and do not lead to sales.
      AND all the advertising costs are pushed back on to the consumer by being factored into the cost of the product.
      AND adverts are rarely even related to the experience of the time. Do I need to know women near my want a shag when I'm transferring files?
      AND beyond brand recognition and PR (due to being caught doing something naughty), adverts are ineffective. People know what they want when they need it.

    4. Re:AdGuard by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      So you are more worried about convenience than say security?

      I find ads annoying for the reasons you cite, but I go out of my way to block them because they are a threat to the security of my device.

    5. Re: AdGuard by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      careful, you might awaken he who should not be named if you keep mentioning that file.

    6. Re:AdGuard by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      your device is its own security threat so don't get too upset about the ads.

  4. phone shaped hole by AndyKron · · Score: 1

    I'm glad I never got a lock screen ad because then I wouldn't have a phone naymore but a phone shaped hole in my wall.

    1. Re:phone shaped hole by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Simmer-down there Internet ToughGuy(tm)

  5. google should go one step better by FudRucker · · Score: 1

    put a feature in the google play app so i can block all apps that display advertising no matter where they are displayed, i rather not use an app if it has advertising, or spend a few dollars on a good quality app that does not have any adds, and since google play cards can be bought almost anywhere that makes it even easier for everyone to buy a paid app that does not have advertising

    --
    Politics is Treachery, Religion is Brainwashing
    1. Re:google should go one step better by freeze128 · · Score: 3, Insightful

      What is the incentive for an advertising company (Google) to block ads?

    2. Re:google should go one step better by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Except that there are some really useful apps that are either ad-supported or subscription only. Why those folks won't release a non-ad paid version is beyond me.

    3. Re:google should go one step better by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Google makes most of its money on ads, and they want to convince developers they too can get rich on ads. While they probably won't piss off their userbase (the product) by banning adblockers, if they actively promoted ad-blocking as a native feature they'd alienate anyone looking to make money off the play store.

    4. Re:google should go one step better by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Except that there are some really useful apps that are either ad-supported or subscription only. Why those folks won't release a non-ad paid version is beyond me.

      Same reason there are ads on pay TV. Because f$*k you! Ads make more money, with less effort, presumably. Not the least reason being that there is a massive industry working to convince morons to buy ads for their shitty business or to justify their marketing budget based on shady statistics. I think I heard that from one of the ~80% of twitter "users" that is a bot, burner or abandoned.

    5. Re:google should go one step better by tepples · · Score: 1

      Except that there are some really useful apps that are either ad-supported or subscription only.

      If you want a lifetime sub, have you inquired with the publishers of these apps about the price of a lifetime sub?

    6. Re:google should go one step better by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Seeing as how that's a blatantly obvious defect in it and they regularly disregard requests to make any serious changes, Google is probably profiting more from the spyware, ads, and in-app purchases than they could reasonably be expected to profit off of quality software, and very likely would prefer not to give their customers a simple way to filter out the garbage.

      Best option is just not to do any business with Google or anyone who behaves similarly.

    7. Re:google should go one step better by maglor_83 · · Score: 1

      I don't think the OP was asking to block ads, but rather to not show apps with ads in the play store (as an option). In this case, the incentive for google would be the 30% cut they get from the sale of the app.

    8. Re:google should go one step better by FudRucker · · Score: 1

      if it is a really good app that i want and use a lot, i will pay for it, name the price, i dont expect it to be free, but dont gouge me or i will drop it like a hot potato

      --
      Politics is Treachery, Religion is Brainwashing
    9. Re:google should go one step better by Stan92057 · · Score: 1

      Search results for ad free/adless apps/games result in 99% ad supported apps and games. Searching google store is pure and utter BS.

      --
      Jack of all trades,master of none
  6. Perhaps... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    ...just don't install that crap. Google is not your mommy. It is however an advertising company which tells others to stop advertising. Go figure.

  7. I am extremely annoyed by those ads by blind+biker · · Score: 2

    So much so, that as soon as I discover that an app uses the lock screen ads, I remove it immediately and make a mental note of that app.

    So, I find this move by Google to be unreservedly positive.

    --
    "The agriculture ministry is not in charge of Gundam" - Japanese ministry official.
    1. Re:I am extremely annoyed by those ads by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Don't forget to leave a review so others can discover those apps before installing them.

  8. Re:Block Google ads (that infect/track/slow you) by tepples · · Score: 1

    Unfortunately, most Android phones aren't rooted. And if a phone isn't rooted, you can't install an APK flie to edit /etc/hosts.

  9. Block Google ads (that infect/track/slow you) by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    See subject & NEW APK Hosts File Engine 10++ 32/64-bit https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&source=hp&biw=&bih=&q=%22APK+Hosts+File+Engine%22+and+%22start64%22&btnG=Google+Search&gbv=1/

    Ads/script/malware rob speed/security/privacy/bandwidth.

    Hosts add speed (via hardcodes/adblocks), security (vs. bad sites/malware/poisoned dns), reliability (vs. dns down), & anonymity (vs. dns requestlogs/trackers).

    Less power/cpu/ram + IO use vs. DNS/routers/addons/antivirus + less security bugs/complexity & faster vs. addons/routers/remote dns!

    Avoids DNSChangers in routers/IP settings & dns redirect (99++% of ISP DNS != patched vs. it) + DNS tracking & lighten DNS load & resolve faster via local RAM!

    * Via what u NATIVELY have in a FASTER kernelmode IP stack (does more w/ less).

    APK

    P.S. - Safe https://www.virustotal.com/en/file/e01211ca36aa02e923f20adee0a3c4f5d5187dc65bdf1c997b3da3c2b0745425/analysis/1433430542/ (self checking vs. infection of it built-in)

  10. Unfortunately 'smartphones' = SURVEILLANCE by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    See subject (even when it's off OR location services off) & https://yro.slashdot.org/story/17/11/21/1351225/google-collects-android-users-locations-even-when-location-services-are-disabled/ & 3/4 of the apps on it do too https://tech.slashdot.org/story/17/11/29/008247/three-quarters-of-android-apps-track-users-with-third-party-tools-says-study/ ... AND that's ONLY THE TRACKING (the infection by malware is the rest & I could post 100's of examples of it!)

    I don't think YOU need that info. though - you're pretty well informed (except on how DNSMasq has been carrying HUGE BUGS https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/security-bugs-in-dnsmasq-affect-computers-smartphones-routers-iot-devices// that's still not patched afaik discovered Oct 3rd 2017 that's in Pi-Hole you suggested).

    * Tepples - honestly? Why do you THINK they're not rootable?? To help 'secure you'???

    Bullshit!

    Apple + Google want you to be TRACKABLE SURVEILLABLE sheep!

    APK

    P.S.=> Tepples - A "dumbphone" is a SMARTER phone by far... apk

  11. See we all agree... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    ads are fucking annoying!

  12. I just uninstalled 360 security for exactly that.. by Darkling-MHCN · · Score: 1

    I just uninstalled 360 security for exactly this reason. Some time ago they added this "feature", which wasn't too much of a problem as they had an option to switch off the retarded add filled custom lock screen. However, after installing a update it now ignores this setting, which caused me to immediately uninstall it.

  13. Re: Unfortunately 'smartphones' = SURVEILLANCE by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    This shouldn't have been downvoted. I don't like APK that much, but he was replying and didnt spam Hostfile shit. That other hostfile shit up in the thread, downmod tha lol.

  14. Vindication. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I haven't "upgraded" my phone in about six years and if advertising on ALLLLL the features is the new standard then I feel like I've made a good choice.

    I still use my phone principally as a telephone and sometimes an alarm clock. Quaint, I know.

  15. LineageOS + root + adway by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Not even worth discussing when alternative is so easy to live adfree ;)

  16. is the narrative finally out? by izzo+nizzo · · Score: 1

    Do people still bother to think that Android is a "non-walled garden"? Or have people realized that bit of rhetoric was simply overblown?

  17. It's ok - I just override the bogus downmods by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    It's ok - I just override the bogus downmods & repost nullifying idiots' 1 effete useless weapon https://tech.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=11425349&cid=55655457/ , easily.

    * They're helpless vs. me & they know it - makes me RoTfLmAo!

    (I love it!)

    APK

    P.S.=> Ah yes folks - you KNOW that I've just GOTTA say it (as per tradition) that THIS? This was just "too, Too, TOO EASY - just '2ez'" & it always is vs. useless WEAK "ne'er-do-wells" that always defeat themselves (the story of their WASTED lives, lol)... apk