Downloader App Faces Another Ouster from Google Play Store

In an unexpected turn of events, the beloved Downloader app, widely embraced by Google TV users, has once again disappeared from the Google Play store. Behind this removal stands none other than Warner Bros. Discovery.

The Creator of the App: Elias Saba and the AFTVnews

Elias Saba, the creative force behind Downloader and the proud owner of AFTVnews, posted about this development on his website. According to Saba, Ishita Singh, the Chief Operating Officer of MarkScan, representing Warner Bros. Discovery, claims copyright infringement. However, the takedown notice lists the app as “suspended” without specifying any copyright violations.

My Downloader app has again been wrongly removed from the @GooglePlay Store due to an absurd DMCA takedown. This time Warner Bros. Discovery @WBD in India thinks the web browser in my app somehow infringes on its copyright. Please help bring attention to how unfair this is!
— AFTVnews (@AFTVnews) November 27, 2023

Quiet Echoes Loudly: Warner Bros. Discovery and MarkScan Maintain Silence

Despite the significant impact of this removal, a spokesperson for Warner Bros. Discovery remains elusive for comments. MarkScan, too, has yet to break its silence on the matter.

Saba, sharing his perspective on the issue, stated, “Considering my app is devoid of any copyright-infringing content, I’ve countered this new DMCA takedown. Hopefully, this effort will restore the app in the coming weeks.” He assures users that, in the meantime, they can sideload the app onto their Google TV or Android TV device by downloading the APK, and it remains accessible on the Amazon Appstore.

A Peek into Downloader’s History

Making its debut in 2016, Downloader rapidly evolved by integrating a full-fledged browser, and pioneering web browsing on the Fire TV. It gained popularity as a primary method for installing apps, sideload as we often refer to the process, that cannot be found in the Google PlayStore.

Deja Vu: History Repeats Itself

This incident isn’t the first instance of Downloader facing expulsion from the Google Play store. In May, a similar fate befell the app when a law firm representing Israeli cable and satellite TV companies lodged a Digital Millennium Copyright Act complaint with Google. A month later, Saba successfully disputed the claim, leading to the triumphant return of the app to the store.

In this unfolding narrative, the destiny of Downloader hangs in the balance. Will Saba’s counteraction reverse the tide, or is this the commencement of a more extended disappearance? Only time will unveil the app’s potential resurrection on the Google Play stage, leaving users in eager anticipation.

We Had The Same Treatment, They Did The Same To Us

Needless to say, Dimitrology.com as a website and our Youtube Channels Dimitrology and Tech Is My Passion received several DMCA from the same source and for the same app in dozens of videos. Just recently we managed to successfully re-instate one of our more popular videos, a tutorial on how to install the Downloader app and the TV Browser plugin. The video was offline and we faced a strike for more than a year! Even though it was cleared in November 2023 (the strike was received in May 2022) by YouTube, the damage to its popularity was harsh. From a popular video now it lies as a dead video for the most part since it only gets a dozen views in a week, compared to thousands of daily views before the YouTube strike.

FAQs

What led to the removal of the Downloader app from the Google Play Store?

Warner Bros. Discovery, represented by Ishita Singh from MarkScan, cited copyright infringement as the reason for the removal.

How does Elias Saba plan to address the removal of the Downloader app?

Elias Saba has countered the DMCA takedown, asserting that his app does not contain copyright-infringing content. He anticipates the app’s potential restoration in the coming weeks.

Can users still access the Downloader app despite its removal from the Google Play Store?

Yes, users can sideload the app onto their Google TV or Android TV devices by downloading the APK. Additionally, the app remains available on the Amazon Appstore.

What is the history of Downloader’s removals from the Google Play Store?

Downloader faced a similar removal in May due to a Digital Millennium Copyright Act complaint. However, Elias Saba successfully disputed the claim, leading to the app’s return to the store.

Is there any information on Warner Bros. Discovery and MarkScan’s response to removing the Downloader app?

Both Warner Bros. Discovery and MarkScan have maintained silence on the matter, with no official comments or statements as of now.