A Taliban technology that allowed for the spread of online hate and extremism has been removed by Google. An app developed for Android smartphones which allowed the Taliban to connect with a wider digital audience was removed from Google Play store after it was branded as ‘hate speech.’ The app, named Alemarah, was part of the Taliban’s advanced technological efforts to compete with the Islamic State/ISIS/ISIL who have recently made inroads into Afghanistan and Taliban territory and are better positioned in the cyber world. The Mirror reports: The app, named Alemarah, gave Android smartphone users access to videos and official statements translated into Pashto from the hard-line Afghan group. But following its launch on Google’s Play Store on April 1, it has now been removed after it was reported to the tech giant by US-based SITE Intel Group on Friday. The extremist group’s spokesman told Bloomberg the app had been removed because of “technical issues” and would reappear. However, it is understood Google removed the app because it violated the firm’s policy on hate speech. According to the Taliban spokesman the app is part of “advanced technologies efforts to make a more global audience”. Though Google declined to comment on any [...]