The Gadigal woman who began a successful petition for the removal of a game that requires players to bludgeon Aboriginal Australians to death is pushing for an explanation as to why Google and Apple hosted the app in their stores.
The Turnbull government is also demanding answers, with Communications Minister Mitch Fifield ordering a review into the "appalling" episode.
Georgia Mantle, a student from St George, launched the online petition on Friday evening after learning of the racist game, Survival Island 3: Australia Story 3D via Twitter.
Within hours, thousands of people had signed the petition, calling for the immediate removal of the game from Apple's iTunes App Store and Google Play and demanding an apology from the app's developers.
The app was removed from stores overnight, though neither Google nor Apple have commented on circumstances around the app or its contents.
19-year-old Ms Mantle, a Sydney University student who is currently volunteering for Red Cross Australia in Timor Leste, said she believed more can be done by the tech giants.
"While I think it's great that the app has been taken down, I think there should be an apology and an explanation released by hosting sites as well as an apology from the game developer. Unless we get those, [racist incidents like this] will continue to pop up," she told Fairfax Media.
As an Aboriginal woman, she said she reacted with "complete disgust" and sadness when she learnt of the app.
"These are my people and representations of my peoples' history, it was disgusting."
Mr Fifield has asked his department to provide advice on the circumstances of the game's release and to review any other games by the same developer.
"I am appalled that anyone would develop such a so called 'game' and that any platform would carry it," he said in a statement to Fairfax Media.
News of the app, in which white men armed with bows and arrows are told to "beware of Aborigines", has prompted outrage, with the Racial Discrimination Commissioner Tim Soutphommasane branding its hatred "unacceptable".
"It's unacceptable to see such promotion of violence and hatred against Aboriginal people," he said, adding that he encouraged people offended by the game to make an official complaint.
Scenes from the game depict invaders shooting or beating Indigenous people to death in order to survive and earn points.
According to screen shots taken before the game disappeared from stores, the game's description promises users an "unforgettable experience".
"Your goal is to survive... You also have to fight with aboriginals ... It will be an unforgettable experience, so just enjoy!"
The game is rated 12+ by Apple and was released last month, costing $4.49.
It has variously been described as "absolutely abhorrent", "abominable" and "beyond racist" by petitioners who have flocked to condemn the game's contents.
Bianca Jagger, human rights activist and former wife of Mick Jagger, tweeted that she was shocked by the "despicable" app.
Killing #Aborigines is a crime and it should be condemned by everyone. Ban this despicable #NIL Entertainment app https://t.co/lIlKVTXD1x— Bianca Jagger (@BiancaJagger)
January 15, 2016
A Google spokesperson said: "We remove applications that violate our policies, and while we don't comment on individual apps, we publish our policies here."
Apple confirmed that the app is not available in its App Store but would not make any further comment. Fairfax Media has contacted the app developer for comment.
- with Adam Gartrell
