Hell hath no fury like a bored programmer annoyed by all the crappy Android apps that make it to Google Play.
Henrique Pegacha has decided to launch the very first Android Blacklist with the aim to expose the massive pile of intrusive or exploitative apps that currently reside on Google’s mobile distribution platform.
“We all know the Play Store is the Wild West of online stores and many apps are terrible, but there doesn’t really exist a repository of bad apps” the user said. “With that in mind I thought about creating a site that lists those bad apps.”
The plan for now is to build up a directory that features the most popular apps that happen to violate the trust and privacy of its users.
The <3 of EU tech
The latest rumblings from the EU tech scene, a story from our wise ol' founder Boris, and some questionable AI art. It's free, every week, in your inbox. Sign up now!
The collection so far features well-known titles like Truecaller, QuickPic and ES File Explorer, accompanied by a brief note detailing the supposed violation as well as more viable app alternatives:
While the Android Blacklist is still rather short, you can check out this spreadsheet with apps that are yet to be added to the catalog.
In case you want to contribute to the collection with your own lousy app suggestions, you can peruse the ‘bannable offenses’ guideline here. Should you feel the need to report an app, you can use this page to submit a form.
Meanwhile, you can follow the growing Android Blacklist here.
Bored programmers doing bored programmer stuff is our new series. Check out more:
➤ Bored OkCupid devs are trolling one whiny user with shitty release notes
➤ Bored programmer trains AI to rename all of the UK
➤ Bored programmers on Reddit are competing to design the shittiest volume slider
Get the TNW newsletter
Get the most important tech news in your inbox each week.