Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios
Google hasn't yet approved Truth Social's Android app for distribution via its Play Store because of insufficient content moderation, a Google spokesperson tells Axios.
Driving the news: Truth Social CEO Devin Nunes last week claimed the decision about when the app would be available on Android "is up to Google," but Google insists that the ball is in Truth Social's court.
What Nunes is saying: "I don't know what's taking them so long."
What Google is saying: “On Aug. 19, we notified Truth Social of several violations of standard policies in their current app submission and reiterated that having effective systems for moderating user-generated content is a condition of our terms of service for any app to go live on Google Play."
Details: A source says that Google's concerns relate to content such as physical threats and incitements to violence.
Workaround: Truth Social could offer Android users a version of its app via its website or other channels — an option not available to developers on Apple's iOS mobile operating system — but the company has not done so.
The big picture: Truth Social's technological challenges come amid broader financial and legal disputes.
Be smart: Google and other tech platforms have reason to proceed carefully with Trump's new app.
The bottom line: Because Truth Social isn't available on Android operating systems, around 44% of U.S. smartphone users can't download it.
Go deeper: Truth's Social's financial troubles
