Google restores 10 delisted apps after Centre talks tough

Tribune News Service

Ajay Banerjee

New Delhi, March 2

Google today removed 10 apps doing e-commerce business from its Play Store, drawing a sharp reaction from the Centre. By Saturday afternoon, the apps had been restored.

With the matter pertaining to Google’s revenue, this may not be the end of the tussle between the app developers and the Internet giant.

Union Minister for Electronics and IT Ashwini Vaishnaw said Google and the affected firms had been called for a meeting next week. He said, “Such measures by Google cannot be permitted.” The minister said, “The startup ecosystem is key to the Indian economy and its fate cannot be left to any big tech to decide.”

On its part, Google removed the 10 apps citing non-compliance with its billing policies. The move sparked a dispute between the tech giant and Indian app developers over what they perceive as Google’s “unfair” policies. Among the apps impacted were Bharat Matrimony, Shaadi.com, 99acres and Naukri.com.

Google took the action after it announced its intention to enforce its payment policy, which involves removing apps of those developers who fail to comply. Google clarified that of the many developers using Google Play, only 10 had chosen not to pay for the services, while over 2 lakh others were following its billing policies.

Anupam Mittal, the founder of Shaadi.com, posted on X: “Today is a dark day for India’s Internet. Google has delisted major apps from its app store even though legal hearings are underway. This is the new Digital East India Co and this #Lagaan must be stopped”. “Lagaan” is a British-era name for taxing locals.

Google’s Play Store is a key platform for app developers to reach a wide audience. However, for years, developers worldwide have been at odds with Google over the commission fee imposed for listing apps on the Play Store.

After Indian developers objected to Google’s policies, the Competition Commission of India directed it to allow developers alternative payment options, rather than mandating the use of the Google Play billing system. Google introduced the user-choice billing system, which provides alternative payment methods, but includes a commission on in-app purchases. Despite the introduction of the user-choice billing system, developers and startups argue that the commission fee imposed by Google still significantly impact their margins.

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