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Google Again Allows Conversion Therapy App on Play Store

Danielle from Leaf and Core
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Play Store screenshot showing a conversion therapy app, Hijrah Diri - HomoseksualitiGoogle has again allowed a conversion therapy app into the Google Play store. This isn’t the first time Google has allowed dangerous conversion therapy apps into the Play Store. In fact, it isn’t even the only time they’ve allowed other homophobic content into the Play Store. A few years ago, they allowed a game that involved killing gay people stay on the store for some time. Now they’ve again allowed a conversion therapy app, which shames LGBTQ+ people for how they were born. Conversion therapy has a zero percent success rate for changing sexuality, but an extremely high rate (50% or more) of encouraging suicide, while causing lasting issues with depression, anxiety, and self esteem.

Google is aware of the app. In fact, while previous reporting contained reviews from users, Google has since deleted those reviews to protect the reputation of the app. It’s possible, if not likely, that someone at Google removed reviews at request of the developer, a common practice for reviews expected to be fraudulent.

The app comes from Malaysia, a nation that prosecutes LGBTQ+ people. There they may face prison, torture, and execution.

Google allows the app to have an “E for everyone” rating.

Google’s Play Store

The Play Store has long been a bit of a wild place. Unlike the App Store, Google doesn’t curate the Google Play Store very well. As a result, scam apps, trackers, and other borderline malicious apps often make their way onto the Play Store and stay there for some time. This app is just the latest example of a particularly dangerous one that Google hasn’t removed yet.

Besides spreading harmful, hateful, untrue, and dangerous messages, the app has a somehow even more sinister side. The app requests permissions for their identity, contacts, photos and videos, the camera and microphone, and even their location. That’s right, this app could be designed to track LGBTQ+ people in a nation where that could result in a prison sentence or death.

Despite legitimate complaints about the hateful app in the reviews, Google has protected it. It now features no ratings and still exists in the Play Store. Media organizations have reached out to Google, but received no response.

Conversion therapy is a dangerous, false process to force a person’s sexuality to change. It doesn’t work, and it only causes damage. You’re perfect. If you are struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts, reach out to the Trevor Project or call a suicide prevention line.

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