SANTA CLARA: Google has taken down the NoThanks app from its Play store, an application designed to assist individuals in boycotting companies associated with Israel. The decision came after the app’s description contained text that raised concerns, stating users could determine if a product “supports killing children in Palestine.”
The @NoThanksBoycott social media account, associated with the app, confirmed the temporary removal on X (formerly Twitter), mentioning that the app had been suspended due to a specific sentence in its description. The account stated that the text had been removed in a new update, and the app would undergo review by the Play store for reinstatement.
The description of the app read, “Welcome to NoThanks, here you can see if the product in your hand supports killing children in Palestine or not. All you have to do is scan the barcode or write the serial number in the search bar.”
Popularity of NoThanks App on Google Play Store
The app’s creator, a Palestinian developer, initially announced its purpose on November 7, aiming to help users determine if a company supports Israel by scanning product barcodes. By November 29, the app had garnered over 100,000 downloads on the Google Play store.
The @NoThanksBoycott account assured users that the app would still be available as an “apk version” on its Telegram channel while awaiting Google’s decision. Yahoo News UK has reached out to Google for comment on the matter.
The removal of the app comes amid renewed hostilities between Israeli brutalities in the Gaza Strip, following the expiration of a temporary truce. The conflict has resulted in casualties and raised humanitarian concerns, with more than three-quarters of Gaza’s population displaced.
The BDS movement, a global campaign advocating for pressure on Israel to address Palestinian rights, is associated with initiatives like the NoThanks app. The movement has supporters who view it as a peaceful form of protest against Israeli policies.
