Google bans Taliban-developed propaganda app

PanARMENIAN.Net - In a sign of how tech-savvy today's terrorist organisations have become, the Taliban has made an Android app. But Google promptly banned it from its Google Play store for promoting hate speech, Digital Spy reports.

The app included official statements and videos from the terrorist group.

According to the Taliban, the app is now unavailable – just a few days after launching on April 1 – because of "technical issues".

But according to BBC News, the app violated Google's policy that says Android apps can't promote hate speech.

Google doesn't discuss issues with individual apps on its platform, but said in a statement: "Our policies are designed to provide a great experience for users and developers. That's why we remove apps from Google Play that violate these policies."

A Taliban spokesperson told Bloomberg that the app "is part of our advanced technological effort to make [a] more global audience".

Today's terrorists are increasingly using technology to spread their message. ISIS has used social media extensively to promote its efforts, while the Taliban now has a website in five languages as well as Twitter and Facebook accounts.