It appears that has made a move similar to Apple in regards to the availability of tethering applications and has begun removing them from the Android Market. This was first reported by the developer behind the WiFi Tether for Root Users app, who said that Google has pulled his application.

What reason has Google Given?

“Google enters into distribution agreements with device manufacturers and Authorized Carriers to place the Market software client application for the Market on Devices. These distribution agreements may require the involuntary removal of Products in violation of the Device manufacturer’s or Authorized Carrier’s terms of service”


“Your Data Plan is intended for Web browsing, messaging, and similar activities on your device and not on any other equipment. Unless explicitly permitted by your Data Plan, other uses, including for example, tethering your device to a personal computer or other hardware, are not permitted.”

This is not hugely surprising however, as a developer, it is upsetting. It seems that phone manufacturers are often afraid of the carriers, of course, it is currently against the T-Mobile terms of service to tether anyway.

This does bring up a few questions though. Since Android and the Android Market appear to be expanding to numerous areas outside the US, will Google only remove access to tethering apps in areas where it is against the carriers TOS?

I can't help but wonder whether this really will have that much of an effect on tether app users, given the fact that apps can be downloaded from sources other than the Android Market. Assuming Google really is pulling all tethering apps, the biggest downfall I see is that the developers may have a harder time promoting their apps, but they wouldn't be shut out entirely.

Overall, this is not very good news, especially considering the fact that many already argue whether Android truly is open source.