Google Play app publish - delay and review feedback from Google Play Developer Support

[liquidlabsinc]

Just submitted support request

I have submitted a brand new app with Application ID: "com.blacklivesmatter.policebrutality"

The application was originally submitted on June 8th 2020 and published v1.5 to production
and later on June 18th 2020 published v2.1 to production.

I am aware of the following notice in Google Play console and understand the cause:
> "We're experiencing longer than usual review times"
> "Due to adjusted work schedules at this time, you may experience longer than usual review times for your app."

However, I was wondering if there is any way I can help to expedite the review process. Thank you.

Regards,
Hossain

Developer account ID
5828904355739995413

[hossain-khan]

Response from Google

Hi Developer,

Thanks for contacting Google Play Developer Support.

I understand you are concerned with the time being taken for your app to be processed for publishing on Google Play. Due to adjusted work schedules at this time, we are currently experiencing longer than usual review times. While the situation is currently evolving, app review times may fluctuate, and processing can take a few hours or up to 7 days or longer in exceptional cases, as it depends on the review time that your app is subject to.

Consequently, It is unfortunate that the review process is unable to be expedited. Please note that submitting changes to your app while a review is already pending will mean the review period starts over, so we recommend you adjust your planning to account for this and avoid resubmitting.

We understand the inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your patience and understanding. For detailed information regarding extended review, please refer to the following blog:
https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2020/04/google-play-updates-and-information.html

If you have any other questions about using the Play Console, please let me know and I’ll be happy to help.


Regards,
Google Play Developer Support

[hossain-khan]

Response again from LLI

Thank you for the update. Really appreciate it.

I have realized that re-submitting updates resets the queue and I have stopped doing that since June 18th.

As you mentioned, the review can take upto 7 days on exception cases, plus 7 more days for COVID-19 delays =  about 14 business days
It has been about 25 days (16 business days). My concern is that if the app fell off the queue due to some system error.

Knowing it's still in the queue would help me greatly. Thanks

Regards,
Hossain
Liquid Labs Inc.

[liquidlabsinc]

Posted some current metrics on cumminity support site - https://support.google.com/googleplay/thread/12354058?hl=en

To set expectation for people who are waiting for 2, 3 or 5 days 

As of July 2020, here are some most recent data posted above ^
35 days - Vlad Chințoiu
26 days - Me
18 days - LuminousTec LLC
16 days - Skp
14 days - Kevin 8554
10 days - Puel
8 days - Anonymous321123
7 days - Bharat Pandiya, khalid Saeed

So, set your expectation with clients that it may take 1-2 months to approve.
It would also help if you post back with number of days it actually took to get it approved.

If your app launch depend on specific date, make sure you submit app 2 months before with Timed Publishing mentioned here at https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answer/9543912#use_timed_publishing

Read more about Google Play's Official update about COVID-19 delays - https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2020/04/google-play-updates-and-information.html

[liquidlabsinc]

Got response from Google Play - app got suspended and being removed

Hi Developers at Liquid Labs Inc.,
--
After a recent review, we found that your app 2020 George Floyd Protests Incidents (com.blacklivesmatter.policebrutality) is not compliant with one or more of our Developer Program Policies. See below for more information about your app’s status and how to correct the issue.


Issue with your app
--
Your app contains content that doesn't comply with the Bullying and Harassment policy.Issue detailsWe found an issue in the following area(s):In-app experience: Please see attached screenshot com.blacklivesmatter.policebrutality-InAppExperience-92.png


About the Bullying and Harassment policy
--
We don't allow apps that contain or facilitate threats, harassment, or bullying.


App status: Suspended
--
Your app has been suspended and removed due to this policy issue.

[liquidlabsinc]

Here is our response:

Thank you for reviewing recently submitted app 2020 George Floyd Protests Incidents (com.blacklivesmatter.policebrutality).

It has been suspended for following reason: 
* Issue with your app: Your app contains content that doesn't comply with the Bullying and Harassment policy.

And here is the policy based on https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answer/9878810#bullying_harassment

-----
Bullying and Harassment
We don't allow apps that contain or facilitate threats, harassment, or bullying.
-----

The app does *NOT* promote threats, harassment or bullying --- on the contrary, it does the opposite, it makes people aware of incidents like these from law and enforcement agency and allows them to take actions like contact their local political leader or support non-profit organization to fight harassment, bullying and support peaceful protestors in different ways.

Thank you for looking into with.

Regards,
Liquid Labs Inc.

[liquidlabsinc]

And looks like we are back to COVID-19 delay loop 🤦

Your email has been sent to our team! Due to the preventative measures being taken for our support specialists in light of COVID-19, it may take longer than usual to respond to your support request. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and we’ll send you a reply as soon as we can.

Dear Google Play Developer,

Thanks for contacting Google Play. Your appeal has been submitted successfully and will be reviewed by a specialist. The ticket number for your appeal is referenced in the subject of this message. Currently, we are experiencing a high volumes so there may be a delay in our responses. Thank you for your patience and understanding while we work on getting a response back to you as soon as possible.  

Please refrain from sending duplicate appeals as this will not reduce response time.  

Thanks,
The Google Play Team

[liquidlabsinc]

Got response from the Appeal on Tue, Aug 4, 2020

Unfortunately they came up with new policy to keep the suspension. 😞

Hi Developers at Liquid Labs Inc.,

Thanks for contacting the Google Play team. 

Status of app (com.blacklivesmatter.policebrutality) : Suspended from Google Play due to policy violation

During review, we found that your app violates the Sensitive Events policy. Specifically, we don't allow apps that lack reasonable sensitivity towards or capitalize on a natural disaster, atrocity, conflict, death, or other tragic event.

You can read through the Sensitive Events page for more details.

For example, your app content currently contains a tragic event which is considered to be lacking sensitivity regarding the death of a real person.

Please note that suspensions count as strikes against the good standing of your Google Play Developer account. Egregious or multiple policy violations can result in suspension, as can repeated app rejections or removals.

If your developer credentials are still in good standing with Google Play and if your app allows for it, you can publish a new compliant version of the app by following these steps:

Make the necessary changes to your app to address the issue described above, if possible.
Double check that your app complies with all other policies listed in the Developer Policy Center as additional enforcement could occur if there are further policy violations.
Sign in to your Play Console and upload a new app using a new package name and a new app name.
Please let me know if you have any other questions. Thanks for your continued support of Google Play.

Regards,
Yoko
The Google Play Team

[hossain-khan]

Added update on README with rejected badge in #205