UC Browser was removed from Google Play Store because of the unhealthy use of 'tricks'

Latest update: Currently users can download UC Browser from Google Play Store normally.

Update: It seems that UC Browser suddenly disappeared from Google Play Store is only temporary. A browser user who works in the browser field stated that he received an email confirming that: UC Browser was removed from Play Store within 30 days because it uses misleading and unfair marketing methods. to increase installation.

Comparing with Artem Russakovskii's post, the founder of Android Police on Reddit revealed details about email received a few days ago from UC Union, UCWeb's advertising network. Email, for advertising partners, has content that prohibits any and all malicious and confusing advertising methods to find new users when promoting UC Browser campaigns.

The timing of the email showed that UC Web's affiliates used deceptive advertising to increase UC Browser downloads. Considering Google's recent announcement about removing this behavior on Chrome, we won't be surprised when the same applies to Play Store links.

Neither Google nor UC Web has made any specific comments on this issue.

UC Browser is removed from Google Play Store

Before that, November 14: UC Browser on Android seems to have been removed from Google Play Store. The very popular browser on this phone has disappeared without a warning. This happened only weeks after UC Browser reached 500 million downloads on Google's app store.

If you do not know, UC Browser was developed by UC Web, a company of Alibaba Group of Jack Ma. On the phone, UC Browser is a favorite choice for many users, replacing Chrome in China, even in Vietnam. UC Browser also has a large fan base in India. Although Chrome is still trying to improve and has regained some advantages, in June, UC Browser became the favorite phone browser in India, there were times when it held more than 50% market share. This is also the 6th most downloaded Android application in India.

The disappearance of UC Browser is detected by a user on Reddit. Previously, in August, there were reports that UC Browser had a bad behavior of stealing user data and sending it to remote servers in China without the user's consent. According to an Indian report, in an extensive survey of data security, Indian government officials expressed concern that the UC Browser application continues to collect this data even when it was be uninstalled.

UC Browser has also been scrutinized for data security issues in the past. In 2015, Canadian researchers announced that the Chinese and English versions of UC Browser "easily provide third parties with personally identifiable information such as location, search details, mobile subscriber numbers. dynamics and equipment ".

There is currently no evidence to confirm or deny these doubts. UCWeb previously denied any wrongdoing, saying "will not do anything that violates user trust" and that "privacy and privacy are taken very seriously".

We will monitor any official information on this issue and update you. In the meantime, it should be noted that UC Browser Mini, a UC Browser replacement application is built for devices with weak hardware, still exists on Play Store.

See also: Firefox 57 Quantum here, great Mozilla!