The Play Store has always been riddled with apps that collect user data despite users asking them not to do so, infect phones with malware, and download videos from platforms without paying a single dime. Today, I will share some apps that are so illegal, that Google should ban them immediately.
1. POPTube: Block Ads on YouTube Video
Ads are Google’s bread and butter. That’s how the bulk of their revenue is generated after all. Enter POPTube. This app allows you to not only view YouTube videos for free, it allows you to do so without ads. Yup, not a single ad appeared while I was watching our TW YouTube channel’s latest video. I also tried it on a different phone on which I do not have YouTube Premium. It even supports PiP mode.
There are even separate tabs for Shorts. You can watch full videos ad-free without subscribing to YouTube Premium. The app has over 1 million downloads at the time of writing. To rub salt in the wounds, YouTube is owned by Google.
Download: POPTube Link
2. Seal Downloader
Most apps and sites do not allow downloading content like images, GIFs, videos, and audio from their site. They have a freemium model in place that helps them generate revenue and run a business. Seal Downloader uses some hacks and clever code to bypass those walls allowing anyone to download content for free. They support a plethora of platforms including Twitter (X), Instagram, Vimeo, and more.
All you have to do is copy-paste the URL and hit the download button. On one hand, Google is charging app developers a 30% commission on downloads and in-app purchases, and on the other hand, it can’t guarantee that their content will be protected on the same platform.
Download: Seal Downloader
3. BlackHole
Disguised as an app that can remove sound from videos, what BlackHole really does is allow users to download videos from platforms like YouTube, Instagram, etc. All you have to do is copy the link and tap the black hole inside the app to paste and download it.
Download: BlackHole
Google is currently embroiled in a legal battle with several app owners and governments over anti-trust laws, illegal business practices, app billing systems, and monopoly over the market. Most notable was the one with Epic Games where the jury recently ruled against Google. They have since revised their fee structure as part of the DMA compliance plan.
It is not that Google is not removing apps from the Play Store. They delist and ban apps from time to time that flaunt the rules but a surprising number of apps still find their way onto the platform. It’s an ongoing problem with the Play Store.
