[Android Apps and Games] easyjoin:
Premise

A few weeks ago Google has changed some policies about what kind of permissions an app can use. The permissions that interest EasyJoin “Pro” are those of “Use of SMS or Call Log permission groups” (https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answer/9047303)

An app can use those permissions if they need them because “It's the feature most prominently documented and promoted in the app’s description”, “If this feature isn't provided, the app is “broken” (for example, won't perform as a user would expect)”.

About EasyJoin “Pro”

As you can see in EasyJoin “Pro” description (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.easyjoin.pro&hl=en) the fact that you can use the app to send SMS and manage phone class remotely is clearly declared. Is the first functionality mentioned in description. Also in the site (https://easyjoin.net) that functionality is clearly mentioned and it's also the first functionality.

Is by fact the main reason for someone to buy the app and support the development of the free and ads free versions of EasyJoin, “Essential” and “Go”.

Permissions Declaration Form

As requested I filled a “Permissions Declaration Form” explaining that the SMS and Phone call permission are necessary to the app in order to avoid that “If this feature isn't provided, the app is “broken” (for example, won't perform as a user would expect).”

Today (November 8) “Google Play team” replied to my request with this:

“I’ve reviewed your request and found that your app, Send files, clipboard, SMS & more - EasyJoin "Pro", net.easyjoin.pro, does not qualify for use of the requested permissions for the following reasons:

- The declared feature {Caller ID, Connected device companion apps} is allowed; however we determined it to be unnecessary for the core functionality of your app.

- The declared feature {Initiate a text message} is not allowed.”.

They decided that the most important functionality of the app it’s not a “core functionality".

What make them believe it? I don’t know.

I do know that with that decision they just killed not only this version of the app but also the free versions since I’ll don’t have any income. Removing the main, if not the only, functionality that make someone to buy the Pro version obligate me to stop the development of all versions – I need to eat too.

Next step(?)

Google gives me two options:

1. Make appropriate changes to your app. Remove the specified permissions from your app’s manifest, migrate to an available alternative, or evaluate if your app qualifies for an exception.

- If your app is a default handler or you believe your app qualifies for an exception, please submit a new request via the Permissions Declaration Form to use these permissions.

2. Alternatively, you can choose to unpublish the app.

Has sense to request again an exception?

When a few days ago I posted in Reddit this post (https://redd.it/9p7438) I had the feeling that the “Google Play team” has decided to treat the indie developers differently from the big players. That feeling will be confirmed when similar apps of big players will stay in the store intact.

I wrote this post to inform you about it. If you have buy the app and in the next days you’ll see that the main functionality is gone you’ll know why. It’s not my decision. Please don't send me emails to complain about it.

Months of hard work are lost because “they can”.