**Google Removes Critical Reviews of Uyghur Forced Labor App**
On Wednesday, Google removed numerous negative reviews of a popular app that had been exposing the use of forced labor in China’s Xinjiang province. The app, Uyghur Forced Labor Tracker, allowed users to scan product barcodes and determine if they were made by companies that utilized forced labor from Uyghur Muslims.
**Google’s Censorship Raises Concerns**
Google’s decision to remove negative reviews of the Uyghur Forced Labor Tracker app has sparked widespread concern. Critics argue that the move represents a suppression of free speech and a failure to address the serious issue of forced labor in China.
The app’s developer, Scott Anthony, accused Google of caving to pressure from the Chinese government, which has been accused of committing genocide against the Uyghur population.
**Background of Uyghur Forced Labor**
Uyghur Muslims in China’s Xinjiang province have been subjected to a systematic campaign of repression by the Chinese government. This includes mass detention, forced labor, cultural suppression, and arbitrary arrests. The Chinese government has been widely condemned for its treatment of Uyghur Muslims.
**App’s Impact and User Response**
The Uyghur Forced Labor Tracker app had gained widespread popularity, with over 100,000 downloads. Users praised the app for raising awareness about forced labor in China and helping consumers make informed decisions about the products they purchase.
However, the app’s negative reviews on Google Play were met with a swift response from Google, which removed them without explanation.
**Criticism of Google’s Actions**
Critics have denounced Google’s actions as irresponsible and harmful. They argue that Google has a responsibility to promote free speech and protect its users from censorship.
The removal of negative reviews of the Uyghur Forced Labor Tracker app has also been criticized as a missed opportunity for Google to take a stand against forced labor and human rights abuses.
**Google’s Response**
In response to the criticism, Google stated that it removed the negative reviews because they violated its policies against .
