FYI: Kidoz app suspended and removed. Kidoz has suspended ad serving until they can resolve the issue.

Solar2D Monetization (in-app purchases, ads, etc.)
#21

The latest email from Kidoz:

Dear Developer,

After additional tests and communication with Google, we were told that each developer who received a warning or was suspended is advised to appeal on behalf of their apps (if you haven’t done so already) via the appeal link in Google’s suspension email (or use this link).

In your appeal (one for all affected apps is enough), you can mention the steps you took to become compliant, and ask to reinstate your apps to allow resubmission.

If there were YouTube references in your own code, please mention the actions you took to remove them. We have learned that even a link to a simple tutorial on YouTube may cause issues, as YouTube was defined as a service not intended for children under 13.

As for the Kidoz SDK, although we were not aware of any non-compliance issues, we carefully went over the code to ensure that no use of YouTube API exists on the code.

As part of the resubmission process, we recommend updating to the latest SDK version (0.8.5.0 or higher) that will be available later today for Android Native, Unity and Adobe Air plugins.

Based on our understanding, the Google policy team is ready to go over the appeals and reinstate the apps once they are confirmed.

If the process suffers from delays, please reach out to us so we can introduce you to Jenna, our contact person who is responsible for helping in this matter from Google’s DFP side.

#22

It wasn’t them, but they have a new SDK. I am done.

#23

@agramonte can you clarify what you mean by “it wasn’t them” and “I am done”?

#24

I am done with Kidoz. If I get my app re-instated somehow, I am going to use Appodeal or Superawesome. I have not heard back from Google.

As for the wasn’t “them”, I meant that at least from my reading of the e-mails they are not taking responsibility for this mess.

#25

You are right. They are trying to run away from responsibility with every single word in their emails full of lies. My apps were suspended and my account terminated because of their SDK. These apps use only their SDK.

#26

An Update:

My app did not include the Kidoz API, but I did have the youtube api within my apk package. The youtube API was not implemented in any way within my app, but it was brought in through another 3rd party package that I included and I’d just forgot to remove.

Kidoz probably have the youtube API within their API for specific functionality and hence was the reason for the suspensions. I think it’s a little OTT to say that Kidoz is at blame for this as their was very little warning about this to the whole development community and you could have been suspended for even having the API (without implementing it). If the Kidoz api brings in the youtube API - this was 100% the reason for the suspension, but I’m not sure how this violates any terms.

I spoke to google and they pointed me in the direction of the youtube API being within my package and they also reinstated my app for updates - I removed the folder and released an update without any issues - visibility dropped slightly, though is rising again as you’d expect.

I strongly recommend getting in touch with google support and you should have no troubles in getting your accounts /  apps un-suspended and given a chance to update them. I was in touch with support approximately 10 minutes after the suspension (it seems most were suspended within roughly the same time period) and I managed to get my suspension revoked within 24 hours. A friend of mine was in touch with support approximately 12 hours after the suspension and he is waiting to hear back from google (I’m assuming they have a huge backlog of support queries).

Personally, I think the fault lies with Google in how they’ve handled the recent issue, If they’d have sent out warnings prior to the suspensions - this would have been a lot less work for them and us

On a positive note though, when google do get back to you, it seems you’ll more than likely have no trouble getting suspensions revoked and have chance to update your apps and get them back on the play store

#27

@senso My only issue with Kidoz is that they could have come out saying: Hey we had the Youtube api in our package. We didn’t get a warning from Google and we are working on fixing the package. They could have even added a “sorry for the inconvenience”, but not necessary.  Instead, these e-mails read nothing like that.

Google probably could have saved themselves a headache by sending a notification ahead of time (like they do with a bunch of other security holes or violations) before suspending all these apps. But I suspect they added a new category to the automatic suspension job and didn’t expect or know the extent of the problem.

#28

Hi folks,

I too had a bunch of apps suspended. This time, I didn’t get my account terminated (here’s a horror story from when I *did* get it terminated).

I understand that you are all angry and upset. But the staff at Kidoz worked through the weekend to deal with this and under the circumstances I think they did OK. Also Like sensoryplay apps I firmly believe that everything will turn out ok. IMHO the best thing to do now is wait for a response to your appeals. At that point, Google will likely (indirectly) say “Ok, we know this was to do with Kidoz, please update with a compliant Kidoz version or remove Kidoz”.

The remaining issue though is is that the Kidoz Corona plugin seems to be SDK 0.8.3.2, which is below the one Kidoz states we should use (v 0.8.5.0). I’m hoping this will be fixed soon, and  Kidoz will try their best to speed up the process with Corona.

#29

Dear Developers,

 

Sorry we couldn’t check Corona’s forum thread earlier, as we were 100% focused throughout the weekend to better understand the issue from Google and amend the code respectively. 
We appreciate Corona team’s responsiveness and the fact that they kept developers updated on the recent emails.

 

We have been communicating with our publishers via emails and phone calls. 
Please contact us if for some reason you were not included in our continuous communication.

 

We understand the frustration, and are committed to solving this with Google as we ourselves got no prior notice. This step came as a surprise to Google as much as it was for their publishers, but we learn they are ready to resolve this as soon as possible.

 

Based on the new understanding that was never shared or communicated previously, we went over our code and made sure there are no traces of YouTube in the code whatsoever. With the help of Corona the new SDK version will be published soon. 

When the accounts are restored and you have the ability to update your apps, please check that there are no YouTube references in your own code, as we learned that even a link to a tutorial played on YouTube can be flagged as a violation. 

 

We appreciate the support and cooperation coming from many developers 

Thank you,

Sincerely,

The Kidoz team

#30

I don’t know how many people are aware of this and hopefully, it isn’t against the TOS. But in the past when I needed a newer version of a plugin you can make a native build where all you change is the underlying .jar or Framework files.

  1. Create a native project.

  2. Download the corona plugins.

  3. Replace the .jar or framework files with the latest version.

  4. Build the project.

This usually works if the signatures have not changed from release to release of the .jar / framework files.

#31

Hi! I’m new here. To those developers who got their account terminated, did you get a reply from Google already? Either there is a long queue or we don’t have the chance of getting reinstated at all. 

#32

I just heard back from Google and unlike what the Kidoz team said “When the accounts are restored”, my account restore request has been rejected. Don’t register another account, we will just cancel it, they say. It’s over. Dozens of apps and over 5 years work ended! Over 10million downloads and in the email Google also suggest I distribute my apps via other means… instead of their Oligopoly/Virtual Monopoly? It wasn’t even my code or malfeseance that brought me down. Kidoz are the only major competitor to Google’s Admob in the child space, and they are already being sued for abuse of a monopoly position and then they do this. Have emailed Kidoz for help. Here’s hoping…

#33

Thank you KIDOZ. Thank youuuuu  :angry:  :angry:  :angry:

Thanks for contacting the Google Play Team.

After reviewing your appeal, we have confirmed our initial decision and will not be able to reinstate your developer account.

Your Google Play Developer account has been terminated due to multiple policy violations.

#34

same for me 
“After reviewing your appeal, we have confirmed our initial decision and will not be able to reinstate your developer account.”

The apps above were suspended as they were accessing or using the YouTube API Services in a manner that violates its terms of service. 

Kidoz you need to do something to help us 

#35
#36

My “profit” from children’s applications is $0.25-$1 monthly, i.e. they exist in my profile just for the portfolio. KIDOZ, start communication with Google and reinstate our profiles ASAP. It’s ridiculous to wait 4 days and more just to receive a refusal. We lost many years of work, download velocity, ratings, search ratings, invested money. 

#37

My app has been suspend too, luckily not my dev account, but i got 2 strikes.

Search around on the internet but found only this post about Kidoz massive banned.

Google reply to my appeal and tell in that email: submit new app with difference package name. But it is  millions download app so , i ask they can reinstate it so i can update a non-violate version, not hope much but it is the last thing i could do now.

#38

Hey everyone, just wanted to comment on this.

Both Kidoz and Corona teams are working hard to bring you the updated version of plugin. There is already a development in the works, after it and qa process will be finished, there will be public release shortly after. ETA is June 13-14th.

#39

What to do with this updated version of plugin if our accounts are terminated and maybe never be reinstated?!

#40

@karpovpw and @ronen1  work hard to help the ones that got terminated also