I got an automated like response from them.

Thanks

Background

Our app had a write up in SALT magazine today (https://www.saltmagazine.com.au/feature/listen-up) which is an exciting moment.
The iOS version is being featured in the App Store later this year.
However, the Android version has been unavailable for the past 2 weeks despite every attempt I have made to get it back in the Google Play Store.

The app had been in the store for 8 years, but it was recently removed.
It was initially rejected saying the background permission was not required, but we have actioned that in numerous ways - including explaining why it is needed, and eventually actually removing it, reducing the functionality of the app in an attempt to get it back in the store. We are continuously being rejected in the Google Play Store, without any coherent explanation as to why being provided. What is said is that the app doesn't need location permission, or that we need a particular message - the app clearly needs location access, and the message has been provided - making these changes doesn't seem to have any effect on the rejection at the Google Play Store end.

I've sent this message in the most recent appeal :

You have failed to provide any coherent feedback at all about why the request for location permission is being denied -- the pre-permission-request has been put there, in exactly the wording you requested. We have removed the location request to order the stories. We have removed the background location permission. Each of these diminishes the functionality of the app. But now I can't conceive of how this app can be rejected. Each time you send a rejection it is randomly different. I feel we must be being targeted by some disgruntled employee at Google Play.
This is a good solid app, that has been enjoyed by many for many years. I'll send this out to the other Google departments. We do need to get this app out there again.

Google Play is not providing any clear information, nothing that is actionable. There is no reason the app should not be in the store -- as I said, we have even complied with things that don't make sense and reduce the functionality of the Android version of the app, in an attempt to comply with what seems to be being requested.

I don't see a pathway to reinstatement of our app via the channels made available via Google Play, those being :

1. The permissions declaration form (https://play.google.com/console/u/0/developers/[our dev id]/app/[our app id]/app-content/permission-declarations)

2. The permissions appeal form (https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/contact/permissions)

3. This email address ([email protected])

4. The google contact form (https://support.google.com/accounts)

Context

I know this question might look like it doesn't quite belong here.
But this is a situation that many app developers are going to face, and there needs to be a solution.

For iOS apps it is so easy - When Apple iTunes has a rejection of an app, they send screenshots of exactly where the problem is and identify exactly what policy has resulted in the rejection.
It's also really really easy to talk with people at Apple - either directly via iTunes Connect interface, or else via multiple support options where you can actually talk to a person.

Android app developers need a pathway to communicate with Google in the case of an app rejection. Please, if you have found any that work, share them here for the benefit of all app developers.

Question(s)

Has anyone found a way to talk directly with someone at Google Play Console?

What other path is there when Google Play is rejecting an app without any clear, coherent, or actionable information included?

Finally - I'm thinking about doing some kind of social media blitz type thing #BringBackSoundtrailsForAndroid
(but I'm not much of a social media wiz). Are there any channels that Google Play senior staff are likely to listen to where it would make sense to get a few hundred people posting to in order to get their attention?