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 payment of service fees due to which they have been removed from the Play Store.
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 spoken to Google and I will also speak to the 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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**Interview with Dr. Rohan Mehta, Tech Policy Expert**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Mehta. We’ve seen significant tension arising between the Indian government and Google following the removal of key apps like ‘Bharat Matri Muni’ and ‘Nukri’ from the Play Store over payment compliance issues. Can you explain the root of this conflict?
**Dr. Mehta:** Thank you for having me. The conflict stems from Google enforcing its payment policies, which require app developers to use its billing system and pay a service fee on transactions. The removal of popular applications from the Play Store, due to perceived non-compliance with these guidelines, highlights a broader issue of digital governance and market control, particularly in fast-growing economies like India.
**Interviewer:** Google has stated that the affected apps didn’t adhere to their guidelines. Do you think this is a fair rationale for removing them from the Play Store?
**Dr. Mehta:** From a corporate perspective, Google is operating within its established framework for app compliance, which is designed to ensure security and proper revenue channels. However, from a local perspective, especially given India’s diverse digital ecosystem, such rigid enforcement can seem overly harsh. The immediate effect of these actions could hinder access to services that are vital to many users, which many perceive to be disproportionate.
**Interviewer:** India’s IT Minister Ashwani Vaishnu has openly rejected Google’s actions, stating that these removals are unacceptable. What implications does this have for the relationship between the Indian government and multinational corporations?
**Dr. Mehta:** This situation is indicative of a growing sentiment in India that emphasizes sovereignty over digital resources. Minister Vaishnu’s strong response signals that the Indian government is willing to push back against foreign corporations to protect its local interests. This could set a precedent for future regulatory frameworks, where local compliance mandates will likely take precedence over those imposed by foreign entities.
**Interviewer:** What do you think Google should do now to mitigate this situation?
**Dr. Mehta:** Google needs to engage in a dialog with the Indian government and local developers. Implementing a more flexible policy that accommodates local business practices and regulatory environments can help. Additionally, establishing a transparent process for compliance and appeals could foster goodwill and better cooperation between Google and Indian developers.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Mehta, for your insights. It seems this issue will be significant in shaping the future of digital policy in India.
**Dr. Mehta:** Absolutely. The resolution of this conflict will likely have lasting repercussions not only for this specific situation but also for how tech giants operate within India’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.
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This fictive interview aims to present a thorough overview of the rising tensions between Google and the Indian government regarding app removals, providing insights into both corporate governance and local regulatory challenges.
