Third-party application marketplace GetJar has today banned the Opera Mini mobile browser from its multi-platform application stores, denying access to the app because it now features its own web-based app store.
MocoNewsnoticeda tweeton the GetJar account, posted today, which stated:
“Due to violations of our T&C’s Opera Mini has been banned from GetJar. Download Bolt, UCweb, Dolphin, Layar or Sqauce and others as needed,” said the note.
Whilst GetJar hasn’t provided any further comments, it did reply toanother tweetthat questioned the company’s decision:
“[Opera] placed an app store in their browser. one thing we can’t do is promote competing app stores.”
Opera launched the Opera Mobile Store earlier this week, launching with 140,000 apps thanks to its web-based nature. The store was built in partnership with open application marketplace specialists Appia, which delivers both free and paid apps on Symbian, BlackBerry and Android operating systems in over 200 countries.
Calling all Scaleup founders! Join the Soonicorn Summit on November 28 in Amsterdam.
Meet with the leaders of Picnic, Miro, Carbon Equity and more during this exclusive event dedicated to Scaleup Founders!
With 100 million people using Opera Mini, GetJar isn’t dealing with a small independent developer, it has blocked an app that highlighted its own app store on the start page of its mobile browser. Despite the GetJar ban, Opera Mini is still downloadable directly via the Opera website and via other third-party application stores.
The company recently hit the headlines followingits responseto Apple after the Cupertino-based company placed an Over-17 download restriction on its Mac App Store.
GetJar has said it will detail what happened in a blog post, due tomorrow morning. In the meantime, we have reached out to Opera and will update the article when we receive a reply.
Update:Techcrunchreceived word from Opera before we had the chance to fire off our email, we have included it below:
As we have worked closely with GetJar for a number of years we would like to find a solution to still be part of their offering. Opera Mini has been one of the most popular downloads in GetJar’s system historically, so we also believe this means that their users are missing out on a popular app. Appiasaysit offers 140,000 free and paid apps, which is roughly the same amount of apps and games GetJar claims it offers.
We are in dialogue with GetJar about the process going forward. At this stage we can not confirm anything.
Story byMatt Brian
Matt is the former News Editor for The Next Web. You can follow him on Twitter, subscribe to his updates on Facebook and catch up with him(show all)Matt is the former News Editor for The Next Web. You can follow him onTwitter, subscribe to his updates onFacebookand catch up with him onGoogle+.
Get the TNW newsletter
Get the most important tech news in your inbox each week.
