Broad Google Play Store COVID-19 rules caused popular podcast app to be suspended

After Google recently introduced new rules regarding COVID-19 on the Play Store, popular podcast app Podcast Addict has now been automatically taken down, reportedly because one of the new policies targets "any apps referencing COVID-19, or related terms, in any form in their metadata." Those are said to only be approved for distribution in the Play Store if they are published, commissioned or authorized by official government entities and public health organizations.

Even though Google's new policy has good intentions in mind, it negatively affects apps that are not necessarily about the ...