Homophobic ‘Ass Hunter’ app removed by Google

“Popular game hunting on gays is now on android! Play and do not be gay! Legendary game, where you are hunter and your mission is to kill gays as much as you can or escape between them to the next level. Gays may be hidden in bushes and unexpectedly catch you. Remember! When they catch you they will do with you whatever they want. ;)” Description of  Ass Hunter by developer App Day

The mobile application was in the app store for Google on Sunday, November 23, 2014 but has been subsequently taken down due to complaints in the app review section by the LGBT and broader community, as well as a media backlash. Between 10,000 and 50,000 copies of the app were downloaded at Google Play before the game was removed. Here is an image of the game that shows a nude gay man approaching the hunter to attack him. The image also shows nude gays hiding in the bushes indicated by a close up of their asses.

This is not the first time that Google Play has been the subject of wrath from its user community. Earlier this year, Google removed the game Bomb Gaza, which allowed users to be Israeli pilots charged with bombing Palestinians. The game allowed the pilot to avoid collateral damage so no civilians would be killed. Google Play removed the game after complaints about the game went viral.

The question is how does this happen when Google reviews all apps before they are published? Google has policies that are supposed to prevent apps like Ass Hunter from being introduced. The Google Play content policy includes the following:

  • Hate Speech: We don’t allow content advocating against groups of people based on their race or ethnic origin, religion, disability, gender, age, veteran status, or sexual orientation/gender identity.
  • Violence and Bullying: Depictions of gratuitous violence are not allowed. Apps should not contain materials that threaten, harass or bully other users

The Ass Hunter app clearly violates both of these policies. By distributing the app, Google has disaapointed all fair minded people who are part of their user community. You can register your displeasure with Google by contacting the company at http://www.google.com/contact/  since the application is no longer available at Google Play.

 

One thought on “Homophobic ‘Ass Hunter’ app removed by Google

  1. Wow! “Gays may be hidden in bushes” reminds me of the 1950s. Ass Hunter is really out of touch and should removed as it is a torturous app from the dark ages.

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