I am not surprised but I am annoyed.
Google’s Android Marketplace is selling smartphone owners of all ages an app which promises to answer what they think is a pressing question: “Is My Son Gay?”
If we alert the Google team to this outrageous questionnaire, we’re sure they’ll do the right thing and shut it down.
I think I would prefer not to see Google take action on this. I sort of like the anarchic nature of the Google Marketplace, that virtually any app can be sold, even if many people might find it offensive. Not that I approve of the app, of course, just not sure I want Google bringing down the banhammer.
I’m fine with an app like that, as long as you can only get your results if fill out the following questionnaire:
“Do I love my son?”
1: Did you fill out the previous questionnaire?
[ ] Yes
[ ] No
If you answered “Yes”, then you do not love your son.
Won’t be filling out the form.
I agree the app is homophobic and should be shunned – but it’s a free speech issue.
The cure is more speech.
Get someone to develop an ‘Are my parents homophobic bigots?’ app.
Signed.
I protested a homophobic app in the iPhone AppStore, but I don’t think I would for Android. Apple tightly control what gets into the iPhone AppStore: if it’s in, they approve of it, and they shouldn’t be approving of homophobia. Google do not tightly control what gets into the Android Marketplace, so it’s a free speech issue.
TRiG.
Good point.