[dangus]

An in-app purchase is an automatic dealbreaker? Doesn’t that depend on what it actually is?

It could be an in-app purchase for themes or something like that. It can be a “thanks for supporting the app” cosmetic badge, completely optional, just there to buy a coffee for the author. But you’re dealbreaking it before you even see it?

In-app purchase != data collection

Also, regarding FOSS alternatives, you should know that FOSS does not mean “free from payment.” It technically doesn’t even mean “free from data collection.” It just means that the source code is available under a free and open source license. FOSS isn’t necessarily “free as in beer” and the FSF explicitly defines it that way. It’s more important that you’re offered the freedoms of the open source license and ability to get the source code. Whether or not you pay is a separate issue entirely.

[freedomben]

Damn, that's quite the lecture. Where did GP say that FOSS means free of payment? I only see criticism of the payment method (along with justification), not the need for payment. There are other ways of collecting payment than using Google Play Services. Plenty of apps that are open source are not free-as-in-beer (as you pointed out). OP could keep a Play Store version with in-app payments for users who don't care, but also release an F-Droid open source version that takes payments through Stripe or some other alternative. This would be approximately 10x better anyway due to "commission."

[1oooqooq]

it is the moment google allows you to target who have spend on that app.

but yeah, you already have:

- system apps for play service which run all the time and can access all apps' storage.

- all apps can ask the OS for a list of other installed/recently open apps. whats app request that list every minute.

- etc. not going to list all the crap you can use to target individuals on apple and android. there's plenty.

my point is, in the end. apps with purchase option are the least worse from the official stores. chill.

[dangus]

Are you responding to the right comment? What you’re saying seems completely unrelated to what I was responding to RIMR about.

If your issue with this app being posted to HN is the mere existence of the app on the Play Store (including all of the store and the OS’ existing flaws), I don’t see how that’s supposed to be a constructive or useful discussion relevant to this app.

[codetrotter]

They are responding to the part of your comment that says

> An in-app purchase is an automatic dealbreaker? Doesn’t that depend on what it actually is?

Hardly unrelated

[nozzlegear]

Don’t tell someone to chill just because they take an opposing viewpoint. It’s disingenuous and attempts to paint them as emotional and irrational.

[MBCook]

> all apps can ask the OS for a list of other installed/recently open apps. whats app request that list every minute.

REALLY? That was blocked on iOS like a decade ago.