[CLOSED][APP][5.0+] FairEmail - Fully featured, open source, privacy oriented email app

[pardub]

For your voting pleasure:

Link

Xiaomi Android versions just have many bugs.

Downvoted

 

[M66B]

Since my girlfriend is currently pretty sick, my first priority is taking care of her. So, don't expect much from me for the time being.

I will probably release a new version in the Play store by the end of the week though.

 

[Friedel25]

For your voting pleasure:

Link

Xiaomi Android versions just have many bugs.

Downvoted

 

[M66B]

According to Google FairEmail is spyware because it uploads the contact list. My guess is this is because of the usage of favicons, which will use the domain name of email addresses to fetch info. This feature has been removed from the Play store version now.

Google has been violating EU regulation 2019/1150 on multiple occasions now by not being transparent about what exactly the problem is, but what can I do? Complain via the EU, wait five years for action while the app is being removed from the Play store?

 

[M66B]

I have submitted a new version to Google, with the favicons and domain block lists removed.

This might come as a shock, but if I can't resolve this with Google, it will be the end of the project. I have tried to communicate several times with Google, but they don't provide any details about what the app presumably is doing wrong.

The app most certainly doesn't upload any contact info, unless maybe your email address to login to the email server.

If the app can't be in the Play store anymore, there is no point in continuing supporting this app because about 99% of the users download the app from the Play store.

 

[nadir husain]

I have submitted a new version to Google, with the favicons and domain block lists removed.

This might come as a shock, but if I can't resolve this with Google, it will be the end of the project. I have tried to communicate several times with Google, but they don't provide any details about what the app presumably is doing wrong.

The app most certainly doesn't upload any contact info, unless maybe your email address to login to the email server.

If the app can't be in the Play store anymore, there is no point in continuing supporting this app because about 99% of the users download the app from the Play store.

Don't say that Marcel,!

 

[M66B]

Don't say that Marcel,!

Unfortunately, this is pretty serious, Nadir.

 

[nadir husain]

Unfortunately, this is pretty serious, Nadir.

I understand!

 

[nadir husain]

Please keep us posted Marcel. I really don't want to start hunting for email apps again. And there is none as good as FE

 

[M66B]

Please keep us posted Marcel. I really don't want to start hunting for email apps again. And there is none as good as FE

I will, but this feel pretty hopelessly.

This happened before and there is just no discussion with Google possible. If they keep rejecting updates and I can't figure out why, it will be the end.

 

[M66B]

The balance

The few euros I receive in return for what's being offered and the fun of developing things are no compensation for the thousands of questions I answer every month, for unfair Play store reviews and for stress about unclear Google requirements.


The verdict

I have not reached a conclusion yet, but the question I am asking myself is why I would continue with the project. Maybe it is the moment, with a sick girlfriend, but I currently don't see it.


Alternatives

GitHub only version: 98% of the audience will be lost.

Strip down the app: more bad reviews

Paid support: more bad reviews

Stop answering questions: more bad reviews

Bad reviews will shift the balance only in the wrong direction.


Core problem

Google. There is no sensible way to appeal in case of bad reviews or alleged violations of Play store policies.

People. They are generally pretty demanding and on the other hand everything should be free.

Myself. An old and grumpy developer, who maybe should retired.


Input is welcome.

 

[Oswald Boelcke]

According to Google FairEmail is spyware because it uploads the contact list. My guess is this is because of the usage of favicons, which will use the domain name of email addresses to fetch info. This feature has been removed from the Play store version now.

Google has been violating EU regulation 2019/1150 on multiple occasions now by not being transparent about what exactly the problem is, but what can I do? Complain via the EU, wait five years for action while the app is being removed from the Play store?

I have submitted a new version to Google, with the favicons and domain block lists removed.

This might come as a shock, but if I can't resolve this with Google, it will be the end of the project. I have tried to communicate several times with Google, but they don't provide any details about what the app presumably is doing wrong.

The app most certainly doesn't upload any contact info, unless maybe your email address to login to the email server.

If the app can't be in the Play store anymore, there is no point in continuing supporting this app because about 99% of the users download the app from the Play store.

I don't want to comment on Google and its business schemes; I've my own opinion and therefore I refrain from using anything by them. But I think you should complain with the EU. Google is already in their focus and I'm convinced they collect anything they can get.

By the way, the following link was posted by @Sid32 here in @HootanParsa's MiXplorer thread:
All apk install functions will soon be removed
Could this also affect the FE PlayStore version? I quite often update your FE, the very best email app on the market, when it notifies me. And then I obviously download it from Github, don't I. Looks like Google doesn't like that.

Androidpolice also reported that yesterday:

Total Commander forced to stop letting you install APKs

The dev took action following a Play Store policy complaint

www.androidpolice.com

 

[M66B]

I don't want to comment on Google and its business schemes; I've my own opinion and therefore I refrain from using anything by them. But I think you should complain with the EU. Google is already in their focus and I'm convinced they collect anything they can get.

By the way, the following link was posted by @Sid32 here in @HootanParsa's MiXplorer thread:
All apk install functions will soon be removed
Could this also affect the FE PlayStore version? I quite often update your FE, the very best email app on the market, when it notifies me. And then I obviously download it from Github, don't I. Looks like Google doesn't like that.

Androidpolice also reported that yesterday:

Total Commander forced to stop letting you install APKs

The dev took action following a Play Store policy complaint

www.androidpolice.com

It takes years until the EU does something, so complaining doesn't help me with practical problems today.

The app didn't update itself from the beginning because this Google policy was waiting to be enforced. So, this shouldn't (you'll never know with Google) a problem in the case of FairEmail.

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[mkasimd]

It takes years until the EU does something, so complaining doesn't help me with practical problems today.

The app didn't update itself from the beginning because this Google policy was waiting to be enforced. So, this shouldn't (you'll never know with Google) a problem in the case of FairEmail.

Thanks for the suggestions.

Bureaucratic processes always take time. But if you want to escalate things, I recommend to get in touch with eff.org. Even if they mainly operate in the Americas, they might be interested in a legal action against Google's intransparent policies as well.

There are no ad-hoc solutions for this. But sometimes (though rarely), taking action helps quicker than one believes. It might be worth to give a shot.

Also, if personal support takes a huge toll on you link everyone to this thread and make this a user-forum where you occasionally put input while other users too can explain things. Ratings go down the drain? Let it be, Marcel. Ratings are not as important as your own (mental) health.

 

[nadir husain]

Bureaucratic processes always take time. But if you want to escalate things, I recommend to get in touch with eff.org. Even if they mainly operate in the Americas, they might be interested in a legal action against Google's intransparent policies as well.

There are no ad-hoc solutions for this. But sometimes (though rarely), taking action helps quicker than one believes. It might be worth to give a shot.

Also, if personal support takes a huge toll on you link everyone to this thread and make this a user-forum where you occasionally put input while other users too can explain things. Ratings go down the drain? Let it be, Marcel. Ratings are not as important as your own (mental) health.

I agree with the above response.
Also seriously seriously very seriously if you are not happy with what is happening with your app or how you are being treated you should consider selling this app to someone who can maintain it. There is nothing really that is more important than you or your family's health

 

[M66B]

I am pretty unhappy about the situation and I am considering to pull all my apps from the Play store, close all related XDA threads and going back to anonymity.

The apps won't be sold in any case because in almost all cases this will not beneficial for the users of the app. There are plenty of examples of this.

 

[M66B]

The appeal resulted in a standard answer.

 

[M66B]

I have removed all my apps from the Play store and I will stop supporting and maintaining my apps. Google won.

Good luck.

 

[30jp]

Hi Marcel,
If I were you I would stop using Google Playstore.
That is 98% of the buyers and I think most of the complainers.
Keep it with Github and F-Droid as it is now, a free and a paid version.
Only update important and necessary things once every 3 months.
So no other colours, fonts or handy buttons.
Also write that clearly here on XDA and Github and don't reply to every post here either.
Keep it to once every 3 months.
Let it go.
FairEmail is and will remain the best email app out there.
I think that gives you the most peace of mind and gives you more energy to support your girlfriend and possibly do other things later.
Give it a year and stick to those rules and then evaluate after 1 year how it went and what it brought you.
The same goes for Netguard.

Sincerely jp30

 

[M66B]

Hi Marcel,
If I were you I would stop using Google Playstore.
That is 98% of the buyers and I think most of the complainers.
Keep it with Github and F-Droid as it is now, a free and a paid version.
Only update important and necessary things once every 3 months.
So no other colours, fonts or handy buttons.
Also write that clearly here on XDA and Github and don't reply to every post here either.
Keep it to once every 3 months.
Let it go.
FairEmail is and will remain the best email app out there.
I think that gives you the most peace of mind and gives you more energy to support your girlfriend and possibly do other things later.
Give it a year and stick to those rules and then evaluate after 1 year how it went and what it brought you.
The same goes for Netguard.

Sincerely jp30

I won't be coming back, sorry.