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

Solar2D Monetization (in-app purchases, ads, etc.)
#121

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.

#122

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

#123

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.

#124

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. 

#125

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…

#126

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.

#127

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 

#128
#129

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. 

#130

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.

#131

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.

#132

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

#133

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

#134

We feel really bad that this happened. We can update our plugin, but we have no access as Google beyond what you have. Unfortunately there isn’t someone we can call/email about this. 

You should continue to press Google about this. You got no warning. Your three strikes came from multiple apps that you never had a chance to address the issue. Maybe if you explain it in that way, Google may have a change in heart. 

Rob

#135

I am located in EU and these days I will try to contact the European Commission about Google Play Store monopoly. I think it’s time every Android phone sold in EU to have installed at least two more alternative markets. Google’s dominance and practices are absolutely unacceptable.

#136

Dear Developers, 

As you all know, we are working day and night to better understand and solve the problem continuously since Friday.

We have communicated with all developers by email and are gathering as much information as possible from Google.

While Google Play Policy team does not provide clear or consistent replies to all of you, but we will not rest until they will, 

and this whole issue will be behind us.

The business development team at Google is committed to helping us solve this situation. 

From this cooperation, we are already seeing few developers who already got their account active again with either apps in “Removed” status (where they could be updated and published) and some still with “Suspended” status.(Still required to appeal or re-appeal).

We have a live record of all the developers who reached out to us, and we shared their status with Google just now.

Google recommends the best way to handle this is to continue the personal discussion you have with the policy team, assuring them that the issue was cleared from your side, and you have a compliant update ready for the Policy Support Team’s review once the account is active. 

We are also in touch with the Corona team who are committed to updating the version we created yesterday, 

that already passed the Design for Family process for other developers, who updated the version since yesterday.

Hope to hear from the Corona team ASAP on this matter.

Eldad, Kidoz

#137

@eldad3

so you say even do they denied our appeal there is still a chance to get your accounts back ? 

ps. we don have any “personal discussion” with google, just standard response mails

 

#138

Google accept my appeal and allow me to update app. So please don’t give up. Use kind word with supporter if they reply and promise to solve the problems. Goodluck.

#139

Our account got terminated and google replied to us that they wont reinstate the account. Did anyone here whise account was terminated got his account back. Our 5 yrs of work is gone. Kidoz please help. Gunjan Apps studios was our Id

#140

Guyz we got our terminated id back. Do not loose hope. They are reconsidering, if you have recieved any reply from them, reply it back again…Thats what we did, and got the id reinstated. But we got the strike. Hence i will say do not loose hope and reply to the mail. Contact Kidoz they will help you. Thanks to kidoz as well for the help