[capableweb]

So because the application can load a URL that can be loaded in any browser, the application should be banned? Time to ban all browsers then I guess...

Besides, Google claimed that the application was collecting email addresses while the app technically couldn't collect email addresses.

If they want to ban something, setup proper rules like "No browsers allowed" and then ban the apps under those rules, instead of trying to hide the real reason for the ban.

[4cao]

I'm not saying what they did was in any way justified, just providing context that seems to be missing from the reporting: to sideload e.g. SmartTube you need an app like this first, and it must be available from the Play Store. Google has an incentive to disrupt this under any pretense as it costs them ad revenue.