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 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 were the main reasons behind Google’s removal of key Indian apps from the Play Store, according to Dr. Anita Sharma?
**Interview with Tech Policy Expert Dr. Anita Sharma on Google’s Removal of Key Indian Apps from the Play Store**
**Editor:** Welcome, Dr. Sharma. Today, we’re discussing the recent decision by Google to remove important applications from its Play Store in India, namely the matrimonial app ‘Bharat Matri Muni’ and the job search platform ‘Nukri.’ What sparked this move, and why is it significant?
**Dr. Sharma:** Thank you for having me. Google states that these applications were removed due to non-compliance with its payment guidelines, specifically regarding service fees that developers must adhere to. This situation is particularly significant because these apps serve major demographic sectors in India—dating and job search—and their removal could impact millions of users. It’s not just about app availability; it highlights the tension between global tech firms and local regulations.
**Editor:** Indeed, and the Indian government has responded strongly to this action. What are the implications of Minister Ashwani Vaishnu’s statement rejecting Google’s rationale?
**Dr. Sharma:** Minister Vaishnu’s rejection indicates a pushback against what many perceive as overreach by a foreign company into Indian markets and its regulatory framework. By stating that such removals will not be tolerated, the government is asserting its authority over domestic digital spaces. This could lead to more substantial regulatory scrutiny of platforms like Google and even prompt legislative changes to protect local businesses.
**Editor:** Do you think this clash between Google and the Indian government could affect the future of app development in India?
**Dr. Sharma:** Absolutely. Developers might feel uncertain about their operations. If they think compliance might result in their apps being removed—especially those that cater to essential services—they may struggle to innovate or expand. Additionally, this could inspire other countries to take a firmer stance on digital governance issues, setting a precedent for how global platforms interact with local markets.
**Editor:** What do you suggest might be a path forward for both parties to resolve these issues?
**Dr. Sharma:** A meaningful dialog is essential. Google might need to collaborate more transparently with Indian regulators to foster a mutual understanding of compliance requirements. At the same time, the Indian government should consider creating a more flexible regulatory environment that accommodates the unique challenges of app developers. Such cooperation could lead to a healthier ecosystem for technology growth in the country.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Sharma, for sharing your insights on this critical issue. It’s a situation that will be closely watched as it develops.
**Dr. Sharma:** Thank you for having me. It’s a vital topic for both India’s digital landscape and the role of international tech companies.
