Google Removes App That Helps People Boycott Pro-Israel Companies

The NoThanks mobile app, which aimed to inform users about companies to boycott based on their stance in the Israel-Hamas war, has been removed from the Google Play app store.

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[{"selector":"#anim-befc74f6-74f4-4865-b116-ba33230c93a9 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-28.920340553452174%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] The description included a controversial statement urging users to check if a product supports "killing children in Palestine" by scanning barcodes or entering serial numbers.

[{"selector":"#anim-83b80fcb-e755-44c0-ace8-28f3e4fda716 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-32.906525983958744%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] The app, created by a Palestinian developer, received over 100,000 downloads on the Google Play app store before its removal.

In response to the removal, the @NoThanksBoycott account shared an "apk version" on its Telegram channel.

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[{"selector":"#anim-79534160-a40d-41c3-ae6f-1306f853b022 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.247656136211504%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] The ongoing Israel-Hamas war has triggered various responses worldwide, with protests and rallies in the U.S. supporting both sides and calls for a ceasefire.

[{"selector":"#anim-26c512ae-e31d-4681-b592-e67ac1b3620f [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(29.258895923457317%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] McDonald's Israel previously faced calls for a boycott after offering free and discounted food to Israel Defense Force (IDF) soldiers.

[{"selector":"#anim-92665617-0872-4b81-8a6b-90232fe311aa [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-7.812499744007886%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Newsweek reached out to Google's press office for comments on the app's removal, and further information was sought from @NoThanksBoycott via X direct message.

[{"selector":"#anim-343fa726-8d4a-47b4-91db-a9fae932d490 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Some people have criticized Google for removing the app, while others have praised the company for taking action against what they see as hate speech 1.

[{"selector":"#anim-b8c0a2d6-b566-43a6-9bce-9414ca541b0b [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(31.233667133513382%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] The removal of the app has sparked controversy and debate about freedom of speech and censorship.