Google has decided to keep offering a smartphone app which offers ‘freedom from the bondage of homosexuality’ despite having reviewed it, Gay Star News can reveal.

Created by the Christian group Setting Captives Free, the app attempts to ‘cure’ people of being gay in 60 days.

In fact the World Health Organization has said trying to turn gay people straight – known as ‘reparative therapy’ or ‘conversion therapy’ – is pointless and dangerous for its victims.

A survey just released found 92% of people who had been through the ex gay movement said it had damaged them, with some saying it had ‘devastated’ their lives.

A petition against the Setting Captives Free app by digital LGBT activism group All Out has attracted almost 59,000 signatures.

Apple has subsequently removed it.

But Google Play has refused to do so.

Gay Star News spoke to a Google spokesman today (31 May) who refused to discuss the issue on the record.

He did however make clear that Google has reviewed the app. Rather than saying why they kept it, he would only point to their policy statement on app acceptance.

Under this statement, the app does not appear to breach guidelines. But the policy does not include any mention of removing apps whose use may cause harm or distress if the advice they advocate is followed.

Gay Star News has also repeatedly contacted Apple to invite them to comment on the app and explain how it passed their initial screening procedures, but is yet to hear a response.