Alphabet’s Google has accredited former US President Donald Trump’s social media app Truth Social for distribution within the Google Play retailer, an organization spokesperson mentioned on Wednesday. Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG), which operates Truth Social, is anticipated to make the app obtainable within the Play Store shortly, Google mentioned.

“It’s been a pleasure to work with Google, and we’re glad they helped us to finally bring Truth Social to all Americans, regardless of what device they use,” TMTG’s Chief Executive Officer Devin Nunes mentioned in an announcement.

Truth Social, which launched within the US within the Apple App Store in February, had not beforehand been obtainable within the Play Store as a consequence of inadequate content material moderation, based on a Google spokesperson in August. Google had expressed issues to Truth Social about violations of its Play Store insurance policies prohibiting content material like bodily threats and incitement to violence.

Without Google and Apple shops, there isn’t a simple method for many smartphone customers to obtain Truth Social.

Google’s Play Store is the principle method customers of Android telephones within the US obtain apps. Android customers can get apps by competing shops or obtain them immediately from an internet site, although it typically requires additional steps and safety permissions. Truth Social has been obtainable by these means at the same time as Google blocked it from the Play Store.

Android telephones comprise about 40 p.c of the US smartphone market.

Truth Social restored Trump’s presence on social media greater than a 12 months after he was banned from Twitter, Facebook and Alphabet’s YouTube following the January 6, 2021 US Capitol riots, after he was accused of posting messages inciting violence.

TMTG has pledged to ship an “engaging and censorship-free experience” on Truth Social, interesting to a base that feels its views round such hot-button subjects comparable to the result of the 2020 presidential election have been scrubbed from mainstream tech platforms.

News of Google’s approval was first reported by Axios.

© Thomson Reuters 2022