Google Removes Controversial Chamet Live Video Chat App from Play Store for Violating UGC Policy

Google has taken action against the popular yet controversial live video chat app Chamet, removing it from the Play Store.

TechCrunch reports that the tech giant confirmed this decision, citing a violation of its User-Generated Content (UGC) policy as the primary reason behind the app's expulsion.

While Google has not issued a formal statement, it directed attention to its UGC policy, which explicitly states that "Apps whose primary purpose is featuring objectionable UGC will be removed from Google Play."

The removal of Chamet occurred in the past month, raising questions about the content that led to its expulsion.

What Is Chamet?

Chamet gained popularity due to its unique feature allowing users to engage in private video calls with stream hosts through in-app payments, some liken it to OnlyFans.

The content on Chamet often featured women streamers dancing or engaging in casual conversations. Beyond video calls, users could send virtual gifts to these streamers, enhancing the interactive experience.

Despite Chamet's attempts to distance itself from suggestive content, the Economic Times reports that the app was plagued by a multitude of suggestive material and advertisements.

At present, three out of the ten top-grossing apps on Google's Play Store are live-streaming platforms: Chamet, Tango, and Boloji Pro. ET also reports that these apps offer content that often straddles the line of being "Not Safe for Work" (NSFW).

The microtransaction-based business model is what makes these apps so profitable. Reports tell us that microtransactions often range from $1 to $50, with significant revenue produced from these transactions.

This microtransaction-based model is not exclusive to India. OnlyFans has grown globally by providing a platform for paywalled content, in which creators post content for subscribers and where the app takes a share of the payments.

Looking Deeper

Chamet's removal from the Play Store has raised eyebrows, as the app consistently ranked among the top-grossing apps in several categories.

Startling data obtained by TechCrunch reveals that users in India spent a staggering $13.4 million on Chamet between January and July this year.

This number climbed to $15.4 million in the previous year, culminating in a lifetime spending total of $38 million. Furthermore, the app boasted over 26 million lifetime downloads in India alone.

Collectively, users in the country spent more than $46 million on such apps last year, surpassing the annual spend on dating apps, which amounted to $42.2 million.

However, the removal of Chamet from the Play Store leaves a lingering question: Will Google take similar action against other live video chat apps? As the live-streaming landscape continues to evolve, the fate of other similar platforms remains uncertain.

Despite the appeal of live streaming for engagement and monetization, concerns persist regarding content moderation.

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