GreatFire proudly announces its ambitious new initiative, the AppCensorship Project. Launched in October, this project is dedicated to promoting digital freedom and challenging app censorship on Apple’s App Store and Google’s Play Store. This significant step forward in digital rights advocacy will enable the monitoring of app censorship globally.

We have initiated the development of a novel tool, the "Play Store Monitor (PSM)," designed to track the availability and removal of Android apps from the Play Store. This complements our ongoing efforts to enhance transparency in Apple’s App Store through the existing App Store Monitor (ASM), which has been documenting iOS app censorship since 2019.

Project Phases and Objectives

"Our objective is straightforward: to increase the transparency of mobile app store ecosystems globally," explains Benjamin Ismail, Project Director. "We aim to empower end users, app developers, CSOs, and other stakeholders worldwide with tools, data, and insights to effectively respond to app censorship trends." 

"We also hope this project will motivate tech giants like Apple and Google to embrace transparency in their operations, particularly in countries known for repressing political and other types of content," adds Ismail.

The project will unfold in two phases:  

First Phase:  

• Development of the Play Store Monitor (PSM), paralleling the success of our existing App Store Monitor (ASM). 
• Launch of the GoogleCensorship website, slated for summer 2024, which will host the PSM. 

Second Phase:  

• Creation of the AppCensorship website by summer 2025, amalgamating data from both the AppleCensorship and GoogleCensorship projects, allowing users to test app availability across both major platforms globally.

Enhancing Research and Advocacy

The upcoming websites will not only provide raw data, such as lists of unavailable apps, but will also feature articles, research reports, and news updates on project progress and activities. Our research will focus on the availability of sensitive apps in repressive countries, underpinning our advocacy and awareness campaigns. This will arm activists and civil society with valuable data to confront censorship.

Partnerships

the AppCensorship Project is proud to collaborate with a diverse array of partners. These partnerships, encompassing both individuals and organizations worldwide, play a crucial role in our targeted research initiatives. Each partner brings a unique focus, enhancing our ability to delve into specific areas of app censorship and its impact on various communities.

We are actively welcoming new partners, including human rights CSOs, both international and local, who are keen to investigate or bring to light app censorship issues. These collaborations are essential for exploring the effects of censorship on vulnerable groups such as human rights defenders, religious minorities, and others. 

By joining forces, we can provide a more comprehensive and impactful analysis, contributing to a greater understanding and awareness of digital rights issues globally. 

Digital Presence Updates

• Our X (Twitter) handle @applecensorship is changing to @AppCensorship.
• The applecensorship newsletter will evolve to cover both Apple and Google's censorship activities. Subscriptions are open at applecensorship.com until the launch of the AppCensorship website.

About GreatFire

For over a decade, GreatFire has been actively monitoring and combating censorship in China and beyond. Our efforts focus on nations governed by repressive regimes, where we tirelessly advocate for an internet characterized by free expression and unrestricted access to information. To learn more about our organization's endeavors and ongoing projects, visit www.greatfire.org.

Contact us

For inquiries or more information about the AppCensorship Project, please reach out to us at [email protected] or use our formular here . We welcome your questions, suggestions, and partnership opportunities.