As a follow up to my Twitter potentially no longer be a solid place, I have a discord for my channel/community. Please feel free to join.
https://t.co/wEhKRj1dMw
What happened: an in-app ad - a casino ad we didn't choose, didn't approve, and didn't know was running - was served via Google's own ad service, AdMob.
AdMob's filters labelled it as a regular, non-sensitive ad rather than a casino ad, so the safety controls we already had in place to block this kind of content never had a chance to apply.
It wasn't a one-off. We've documented at least eleven variants of the same casino-ad scheme that slipped through the same way, all dressed up to look like ads for other games.
2/6
If you'd like to support us:
– First of all, and most important - please don't harass anyone over this.
– Comment, Like and Repost this thread.
– Upvote our posts on Reddit:
1. https://t.co/AAxSCwlXlm
2. https://t.co/3VJqhvs2lk
- Join our new Discord server: https://t.co/ZrKfJ6JlsS
- Go to https://t.co/4GK6JyYzHf to learn more.
Thank you for sticking with us - for some of you, that's been ten years. We don't take it for granted.
@GooglePlayBiz@GforPublishers@AndroidDev@googledevs
6/6
The future of dataDex: for a long time we've quietly been building a complete overhaul of the app - a new version drawing on a decade of feedback, with many new features and improvements. The official release was just around the corner when the suspension happened.
We're not abandoning it. The new version is coming, in one way or another. Here's a small glimpse:
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If dataDex is already installed on your device, it still works exactly as before. Your data and your dataDex account are safe - nothing got deleted by the suspension.
While we're suspended, new users can't download the app, and you can't update from the Play Store. We're working on an alternative way to download and update the app for users who want it. We will update you here and on the website when that happens.
4/6
What we're doing: we've appealed, and we've worked every official channel available to us. Standard Google Play appeal: stuck in a template-reply loop. AdMob support: closed without engaging on the systems failure.
We've also escalated publicly, twice - once on the Google Play Developer Community on April 22, and again on the AdMob Help Community on April 29. A Product Expert escalated each one. Neither has had a follow-up since.
The full record - every variant we documented, our ad settings, and the back-and-forth with Google support - is available at https://t.co/SoRUMNwFTI
3/6
An update on dataDex - and a sneak peek of the future.
About two weeks ago, Google removed dataDex from the Play Store. The app still works on devices where it's already installed, and your data and accounts are safe.
Here's what happened, what we're doing, and what's next for dataDex:
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Serebii Note: It has been confirmed that the successor to the Nintendo Switch will be officially announced before the end of March 2025 https://t.co/gDbXkHSvkT
Serebii Update: Legendaery Pokémon will be available in The Indigo Disk by completing Blueberry Quests and earning Snacks to help learn more to find them https://t.co/NWlAdn57aQ
Serebii Update: A new Pokémon Scarlet & Violet distribution has begun. Gives players a Darkrai.
Code: NEWM00N1SC0M1NG
Runs until December 21st at 23:59 UTC
Details @ https://t.co/NWlAdn57aQ
Serebii Update: A new Pokémon Scarlet & Violet distribution has begun. Gives players a Shiny Lucario.
Code: SH1NYBUDDY
Runs until January 3rd 2024 at 23:59 UTC
Details @ https://t.co/NWlAdn57aQ
Serebii Update: The next 5 Star Tera Raid Battle event has been announced. Face against Dialga and Palkia from December 8th through December 21st https://t.co/NWlAdn57aQ
Serebii Update: A special distribution for a Master Ball will run through Mystery Gift > Receive via Internet from December 14th through January 4th https://t.co/NWlAdn57aQ
Your mistakes don't define who you are. It's what you do after you have made the mistakes that makes all the difference.
Every mistake you make is a learning experience. They don't make you less capable. But it's how you correct them or learn from them that defines you.