Technology
AnkiDroid removes donation links after Google Play policy enforcement threatens store removal
Google rejected app updates over links to Open Collective, citing payments policy rules regarding tax-exempt organization status.
The short version
- Google Play began rejecting updates for the open-source flashcard app AnkiDroid on August 28, 2026, over an in-app donation link to Open Collective.
- Google told developers the link violates its payments policy because AnkiDroid's fiscal host, Open Source Collective, holds 501(c)(6) tax-exempt status rather than 501(c)(3) charitable status.
- Facing a September 11, 2026 worldwide removal deadline on Google Play, the volunteer development team is removing the donation link under protest in version 2.24.X to maintain app distribution.
Key facts
- AnkiDroid's fiscal host, Open Source Collective, holds a 501(c)(6) tax-exempt determination letter from the IRS.[Hacker News]
- Google Play rules require in-app payments to go through Google Play billing unless donations are directed to a validated tax-exempt organization.[Hacker News]
- Google rejected AnkiDroid's appeal, stating that the submitted 501(c)(6) documentation did not satisfy its requirement for a tax-exempt organization.[Hacker News]
- The developers scheduled the removal of the donation links in update 2.24.X to avoid an international ban on Google Play set for September 11, 2026.[Hacker News]
What remains uncertain
- Google support has not publicly clarified why IRS 501(c)(6) tax-exempt status fails to qualify under its policy definitions.[Hacker News]