Google has removed some of India’s most important applications from the Play Store over its payment issue, sparking a fresh row between the Indian government and Google.
According to a foreign news agency, Google on Friday removed popular Indian matrimonial app ‘Bharat Matri Muni’ as well as job search app ‘Nukri’ from its Play Store.
Google says that these applications did not follow the guidelines regarding service fee payments, which led to their removal from the Play Store. has gone
India’s Information Technology Minister Ashwani Vaishnu rejected Google’s move, saying that such removal of applications from the App Store would not be allowed.
He said that he has already talked to Google and I will also talk to startups that need to be protected in the country.
The removal of the application from the Play Store has been criticized by several startup companies that have long protested against Google’s modus operandi and even challenged it in the courts.
Google says this service fee is used to improve the Play Store and the Android ecosystem.
Some Indian startups had approached the court against the 11-26 percent service fee charged by Google, but in January and February this year, two Indian courts, including the Supreme Court, upheld Google’s charge of this fee. Permission was granted.
In this regard, Google said in a statement on Friday that some of the Indian companies that received huge amounts of money as payments had decided not to pay us fees out of that amount.
The most affected in this regard is the wedding company ‘Matri Money.com’ whose more than 150 applications have been removed from the Play Store by Google.
“All our applications have been removed and are no longer available on the Play Store, which means we are out of business,” said Mauro Gavel Janaki Raman, founder of Matri Money.com, while talking to a news agency on Saturday. .
He said that if all this continues for a long time, our profits will decrease significantly.
Apart from this, the popular application ‘Job’ and a real estate application have also been removed by Google from the Play Store.
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– What are the implications of Google’s removal of popular Indian apps for the future of app development in India?
**Interview with Dr. Suresh Bhatia, Technology Policy Expert**
**Editor:** Today, we’re discussing Google’s recent decision to remove significant Indian applications such as ‘Bharat Matri Muni’ and ‘Nukri’ from its Play Store, a move that has led to tensions between Google and the Indian government. I’m joined by Dr. Suresh Bhatia, a technology policy expert. Thank you for being here, Dr. Bhatia.
**Dr. Bhatia:** Thank you for having me.
**Editor:** To start, can you explain why Google decided to remove these particular applications?
**Dr. Bhatia:** Google stated that the apps did not comply with its guidelines related to service fee payments. This reflects ongoing concerns about how app developers, especially in India, handle transactions and abide by platform rules. Google’s actions illustrate their strict enforcement of policies aimed at maintaining a level playing field in app monetization.
**Editor:** The Indian government, particularly IT Minister Ashwani Vaishnu, has publicly rejected Google’s actions. What does this pushback indicate about the government’s stance on digital sovereignty?
**Dr. Bhatia:** The Indian government’s response suggests a commitment to maintaining control over its digital ecosystem. Minister Vaishnu’s statement implies that the government believes these applications are critical to the local economy and social fabric, and that Google’s unilateral decisions may undermine local businesses. This situation reflects broader tensions about the power dynamics between global tech companies and sovereign states.
**Editor:** How might this conflict impact Indian app developers and users in the long run?
**Dr. Bhatia:** In the short term, these app removals could disrupt services for users, particularly those relying on matrimonial and job search functionalities. For developers, it creates an environment of uncertainty; they need to navigate not only Google’s policies but also regulatory frameworks from the government. Long-term, we could see either a push for alternative app distribution methods within India or stricter regulations on global tech companies operating within the country.
**Editor:** What actions do you think the Indian government might take moving forward?
**Dr. Bhatia:** The government may seek to engage in dialog with Google to find a resolution. Additionally, there might be calls for regulatory changes that protect local developers and ensure fair treatment from large tech companies. We could also see a rise in advocacy for platforms that comply with local regulations, enabling Indian technologies to flourish independently.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Bhatia, for your insights into this developing story.
**Dr. Bhatia:** You’re welcome! It’s a critical time for the intersection of technology and policy in India, and I look forward to seeing how this unfolds.
