Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


               Taliban Android App Briefly Appears in Google Play

   by VOA News

   An app made by the Taliban appeared briefly in the Google Play store.

   The SITE Intel Group, which monitors terrorism online, said it found
   the Android app on Friday.

   [1]CNN Money reported that Google, which has removed the app, would not
   comment on it because "the company doesn't discuss specific apps."

   Called "Alemarah," the Pashto-language app allowed users to keep
   abreast of Taliban activities and news, including videos made by the
   jihadist group, CNN Money said.

   Jihadists, particularly Islamic State, have used social media and
   encrypted messaging apps like Telecom to spread their messages, but app
   stores like Google Play and Apple's app store have been more difficult
   to penetrate.

   According to [2]Bloomberg, a spokesman for the Taliban said the app was
   "part of our advanced technological efforts to make a more global
   audience."
     __________________________________________________________________

   [3]http://www.voanews.com/content/mht-taliban-android-app-appears-brief
   ly-in-google-play/3268323.html

References

   1. http://money.cnn.com/2016/04/04/technology/google-taliban-app/index.html?sr=twcnni040416google-taliban-app0147PMVODtopLink&linkId=23031978
   2. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-04-02/taliban-develops-smartphone-app-to-advance-propaganda-efforts
   3. http://www.voanews.com/content/mht-taliban-android-app-appears-briefly-in-google-play/3268323.html