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Google bows to ministry's request to remove LGBT apps
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According to kompas.com, Indonesian users will no longer find Blued when searching for the keyword on Google Play Store, but they will be given other options of similar apps. (Shutterstock.com/File)
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p to 14 apps considered to contain and promote LGBT-related pornographic content have reportedly been removed from the Google Play Store.
The Communications and Information Ministry's public relations bureau acting head, Noor Iza, told kompas.com on Monday that since Sunday at 12:30 a.m. the gay social network app Blued, which has been a hot topic of discussion among netizens since late last year, had been removed from the Play Store for the Indonesian market.
"Until now up to 14 apps have been removed. Blued itself had three apps on Google Play Store," he said.
Read also: Lawmaker calls for shutdown of LGBT apps
Prior to sending a request to Google to take down Blued, the ministry had blocked five domain name servers (DNS) for the Blued service on Oct. 12. It reportedly also asked the tech company to remove 73 apps with LGBT-related content.
According to kompas.com, Indonesian users will no longer find Blued when searching for the keyword on Google Play Store, but they will be given other options of similar apps.
Meanwhile, Indonesians who use iOS devices are still able to access the app, to which Noor said, "I don't know [whether the ministry has sent a similar request to Apple]. They should since there are two operating systems [largely used in Indonesia]." (kes)
