Google Play – Complaint by Richard Olajuwon Regarding Unfair Developer Account Termination

Richard Olajuwon, Founder of UPD3TE and a verified LinkedIn professional, has raised a serious complaint regarding the termination of his Google Play Developer account. Despite having no prior violations or associated accounts, his only developer account was terminated under the allegation of “previous violations.” This article highlights the unfair account termination, its impact on developers, details about Google Play, legal actions that can be taken under international and Indian laws, and how Choice4Voice.com escalates such complaints from publishing to legal support if unresolved.

Complaint Summary Table

Full Complaint Write-Up

Richard Olajuwon, a software engineer and founder of UPD3TE, has publicly shared his frustration after his Google Play Developer account was abruptly terminated.

The stated reason from Google Play was:

“Prior violations of the Developer Program Policies and Developer Distribution Agreement by this or associated, previously terminated Google Play Developer accounts.”

However, Richard has confirmed that:

• This was his only Google Play Developer account.
• His app had no policy violations.
• He was never issued any prior warning or notice.

For a developer who invested months of work into building a new social media platform, this termination not only blocks distribution of his app but also damages his career and financial investment. Such abrupt actions by platforms of Google’s scale can devastate independent developers and startups.

This raises important concerns about Google Play’s transparency, accountability, and grievance redressal mechanisms.

About the Brand: Google Play

Google Play, operated by Google LLC, is the official app store for Android. It provides app distribution for millions of developers worldwide. Developers must adhere to the Developer Program Policies and the Developer Distribution Agreement.

However, complaints about unfair account suspensions or terminations have been rising globally, often with generic reasons cited and limited appeal options. For independent developers, this creates a serious imbalance of power, where months or years of work can be erased overnight.

Which Legal Actions Can Be Taken

If a developer in India (or globally) faces unfair termination, several legal options exist:

1. Consumer Forum Case (India) – Under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, app developers can claim deficiency in service, financial loss, and harassment.
2. Civil Suit for Damages – Developers may seek compensation for financial losses incurred due to abrupt and unjustified termination.
3. Competition Law Complaint – Since Google holds a dominant position, complaints can be filed with the Competition Commission of India (CCI) for abuse of dominant power.
4. Contract Law Remedies – Since developers sign a Developer Distribution Agreement, unjustified cancellation can be challenged under Indian Contract Act provisions.
5. International Arbitration / U.S. Legal Remedies – As Google LLC is based in the U.S., international arbitration or U.S. civil court remedies may also apply depending on jurisdiction.

Role of Choice4Voice.com in Escalation

At Choice4Voice.com, publishing this complaint is the first step in creating awareness and putting pressure on the brand. This article will also be shared across platforms including LinkedIn and other social media channels, ensuring visibility and support for the complainant.

If the brand continues to ignore the issue, Choice4Voice.com can escalate further by filing a legal case on behalf of the complainant.

In this matter, possible legal filings include:

• Consumer Forum Complaint for unfair account suspension.
• Civil Damages Suit for financial loss caused to Richard.
• Competition Law Case for abuse of monopoly by Google in app distribution.

This multi-stage escalation ensures that the developer’s rights are protected and brands are held accountable.

About the Author

This article has been prepared on behalf of Richard Olajuwon, Founder of UPD3TE, who raised this issue on LinkedIn to bring attention to unfair practices in Google Play Developer account management.

👉 Read the original LinkedIn post here

Q&A Related to Google Play Developer Complaints

Q1: Why was my Google Play Developer account terminated without warning?
A: Accounts may be terminated for alleged violations, but in many cases, developers report generic reasons without specific proof, which can be challenged.

Q2: Can Google Play terminate an account without notice?
A: Yes, under their policies, but developers can appeal. However, many appeals are denied without detailed explanation.

Q3: What is the Google Play appeal process for suspended accounts?
A: Developers can submit an appeal via the official support form. A review team evaluates it, but the process is often opaque.

Q4: How long does Google take to review account appeals?
A: Reviews typically take 7–10 business days, but some developers report much longer timelines.

Q5: What happens to my published apps after account termination?
A: All apps under that account are removed from the Play Store, cutting off revenue and user access.

Q6: Can developers recover data or payments after termination?
A: Payments already processed may be credited, but pending payments may be withheld if linked to policy violations.

Q7: What is the Developer Distribution Agreement with Google?
A: It is a binding legal contract that governs app distribution, revenue sharing, and compliance requirements.

Q8: Can developers take Google to court for wrongful termination?
A: Yes, under consumer law, civil law, or contract law provisions, depending on jurisdiction.

Q9: Has Google faced lawsuits for developer account suspensions?
A: Yes, multiple lawsuits have been filed globally alleging unfair suspension and anti-competitive practices.

Q10: What role does the Competition Commission of India play in such cases?
A: The CCI can investigate abuse of dominance if developers allege monopolistic behavior.

Q11: Can Indian developers file a case in Consumer Forum against Google?
A: Yes, if the developer can prove service deficiency and financial damage.

Q12: How can startups protect themselves against sudden account terminations?
A: By maintaining detailed compliance logs, backups, and exploring multi-platform distribution beyond Google Play.

Q13: Are there alternatives to Google Play for app distribution?
A: Yes, developers can use third-party Android app stores, direct APK distribution, or platforms like Samsung Galaxy Store, Amazon Appstore, etc.

Q14: Can unfair termination affect investor confidence in startups?
A: Absolutely. Investors see account stability as crucial for product launch and scaling.

Q15: Does Google provide human support for developer disputes?
A: Most support is automated or email-based, with limited access to human escalation.

Q16: Can developers in the U.S. file a class action lawsuit against Google?
A: Yes, and in fact, there have been class actions filed regarding app store policies.

Q17: How does account termination affect app users?
A: Users lose access to updates, security patches, and in some cases, the app itself.

Q18: What compensation can be claimed in case of wrongful termination?
A: Compensation may include financial losses, reputational damage, and in some cases, punitive damages.

Q19: Can Choice4Voice.com help escalate complaints against tech giants like Google?
A: Yes, by publishing complaints and taking legal action on behalf of complainants if unresolved.

Q20: What should developers do immediately after receiving a termination notice?
A: File an appeal, preserve all communication, seek legal advice, and explore publishing complaints publicly to create awareness.