Google approves Trump’s Truth Social for Play Store

Oct 12 (Reuters) – Alphabet Inc’s ( GOOGL.O ) Google has approved former U.S. President Donald Trump’s social media app Truth Social for distribution on the Google Play Store, a company spokesman said on Wednesday.

Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG), which operates Truth Social, is expected to make the app available on the Play Store shortly, Google said.

“It’s been a pleasure working with Google, and we’re thrilled they helped us finally bring Truth Social to all Americans, regardless of the device they’re using,” TMTG CEO Devin Nunes said in a statement.

Truth Social, which launched in the US in the Apple App Store in February, had not previously been available in the Play Store due to insufficient content moderation, according to a Google spokesperson in August. Google had expressed concerns to Truth Social about violations of Play Store guidelines that prohibit content such as physical threats and incitement to violence.

Without Google and Apple stores, there is no easy way for most smartphone users to download Truth Social.

Google’s Play Store is the main way Android phone users in the US download apps. Android users can get apps through competing stores or download them directly from a website, though that often requires extra steps and security permissions. Truth Social has been available in these ways even though Google blocked it from the Play Store.

Android phones make up about 40% of the US smartphone market.

Truth Social restored Trump’s social media presence more than a year after he was banned from Twitter Inc ( TWTR.N ), Facebook ( META.O ) and Alphabet Inc’s ( GOOGL.O ) YouTube following the U.S. Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol- riots, after he was accused of posting messages inciting violence.

TMTG has promised to deliver an “engaging and censorship-free experience” on Truth Social, appealing to a base that feels its views on such hot-button topics as the outcome of the 2020 presidential election have been scrubbed from mainstream tech platforms.

News of Google’s approval was first reported by Axios.

Reporting by Helen Coster in New York; Additional reporting by Paresh Dave in Oakland, Anirudh Saligrama and Bhanvi Satija in Bengaluru; Editing by Shounak Dasgupta, Deepa Babington, Marguerita Choy and Sherry Jacob-Phillips

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