After much hesitation, Google is now introducing the “Truth Social” app in its App Store. Platform operators of ex-US President Trump have agreed to implement content removal policies.

“Truth Social”, a social network co-founded by former US President Donald Trump, will also be available in Google’s App Store in the future. A spokeswoman for the US technology company said the decision was made after “Truth Social” agreed to accept applicable content control guidelines.

In August, Google declined to include “Truth Social” in the App Store. In the meantime, however, the online platform has adjusted its guidelines, as well with respect to user-generated content, it said. For example, users who post offensive or violent messages can be blocked or removed.

So far only available for iPhones

The move means Trump’s Twitter alternative can be downloaded via Google’s Play Store for Android smartphones in the US. Previously, the app was only available for Apple’s iPhone. However, the application cannot be used outside the USA.

“Today marks an important milestone in our mission to restore freedom of speech online,” Devin Nunes, head of Trump’s media group TMTG, was quoted as saying by the Wall Street Journal. In the US, nearly half of smartphone owners use Google’s Android operating system.

Banned from Twitter and Facebook

With “Truth Social” Trump is trying to set up his own online platform for his supporters – also in view of the crucial congressional election in early November. For years, their most important communication channels were Facebook and especially Twitter. He had more than 80 million followers on Twitter. During his tenure, Trump made more use of the service than any US president before him, in order to be able to present his controversial and often outrageous statements about political opponents to a global public around the clock.

However, he was locked up in January 2021 after his supporters stormed the Capitol in Washington and expressed sympathy for the attackers. Furthermore, Trump continues to claim without any evidence that his victory in the 2020 presidential election was stolen through fraud.