Google removed these Indian Apps from Play Store

The Removal of Apps From Play Store in India 'Cannot Be Permitted' IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw 

Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw expressed strong disagreement on Saturday with Google's decision to remove several apps from its app store in India, stating that such actions "cannot be permitted." The move by Google, which included the removal of popular apps like Bharat Matrimony and Naukri, was attributed to the companies' alleged non-compliance with in-app payment guidelines. The decision has sparked an ongoing dispute over service fee payments to the U.S. tech giant.

Vaishnaw stated that he has engaged in discussions with Google and plans to meet with startups requiring protection in India. In a statement, he emphasized, "This kind of delisting cannot be permitted." Google, when approached for comment, declined to respond. The delisting has drawn backlash from numerous startups, which have long opposed and legally contested various practices of the U.S. tech giant, including its in-app fees. Google argues that these fees are essential for the development and promotion of the Android and Play Store ecosystem.

The conflict revolves around the resistance of certain Indian startups to Google's imposition of a fee ranging from 11% to 26% on in-app payments, following an order from the country's antitrust authorities instructing Google not to compel the previous 15%-30% charging structure. However, with two court rulings in January and February, including one by the Supreme Court, Google effectively gained approval to enforce the fee or remove apps. In response, Google stated on Friday that certain Indian enterprises opted not to remunerate for the "significant value they derive from Google Play."

Matrimony.com has borne the brunt of the removals, witnessing the expulsion of over 150 of its apps from the Play Store. Founder Murugavel Janakiraman conveyed to media on Saturday, "All our apps have been removed, and we are no longer on the Play Store, which effectively means being out of business." He expressed concern about a potential significant drop in revenue if this situation persists in the long term. Another impacted company, Info Edge, experienced the removal of its job search app Naukri and another real estate search app. The founder mentioned on Saturday on X that many of the company's apps had been reinstated, though without providing further details.

In 2020, Google temporarily removed the widely-used Indian payments app, Paytm, from its Play Store, citing policy violations. This action prompted the founder of Paytm and the broader startup community to unite in opposition, taking on Google by establishing their own app stores and initiating legal proceedings.