Black market Android app store shut down

A haven for Android application pirates has been shut down. Blapkmarket, which offered free downloads of many paid-for applications in the Android Market was maintained by one "Jesusxxx", but is no longer online after being shut down by its host.

Jesusxxx's rationale behind offering the downloads was that Android's returns policy is too restrictive - if you don't like an app, you have 24 hours to return it for a full refund. Once that period expires, however, you're stuck with having made the payment. Jesusxxx argues that many apps take longer than that to evaluate.

But his host didn't agree, silencing the site for good. Alternatives exist, but this is one step in the process to clearing out the pirates from the Android market. Interestingly, despite the iPhone App Store's greater size and greater popularity, Apple's never done anything to fight the pirates there.