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.
Mauro Gavel Janaki Raman, founder of Matri Money.com, told news agency on Saturday that all our applications have been removed. are and are no longer available on Play Store, that means we are out of business.
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 Indian apps for local developers and users?
**Interview on Google’s Removal of Indian Apps from Play Store**
**Host:** Welcome to today’s special segment where we discuss a significant issue affecting many users and developers in India. We’re joined by Ashwini Gupta, a technology analyst and expert in digital policy. Thank you for being here, Ashwini.
**Ashwini Gupta:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** Let’s dive right in. Recently, Google removed the matrimonial app ‘Bharat Matri Muni’ and the job search app ‘Nukri’ from its Play Store, citing non-compliance with payment guidelines. What are your thoughts on this move?
**Ashwini Gupta:** This action has certainly raised eyebrows. These apps are quite significant for many users in India, particularly for job seekers and those looking for matrimonial matches. Google’s rationale is rooted in compliance with its service fees policy, which aims to ensure that all apps contribute fairly to the ecosystem. However, the impact of such removals can be quite disruptive.
**Host:** Indeed, disruption is a concern. The Indian IT Minister, Ashwani Vaishnu, has publicly rejected Google’s decision. How do you see the government’s stance in this situation?
**Ashwini Gupta:** The Minister’s rejection underscores the Indian government’s commitment to protecting local businesses, especially in a market increasingly dominated by global players like Google. By asserting that the removal will not be tolerated, the government is signaling that it values the rights of Indian app developers and the importance of these applications for users across the country.
**Host:** What could be the implications of this ongoing conflict between the Indian government and Google for the future of app development in India?
**Ashwini Gupta:** This could lead to a more stringent regulatory environment for foreign tech giants operating in India. If such disputes continue, we might see new regulations that aim to ensure fair practices and protections for local developers. On the other hand, it could also encourage more native solutions and innovation as developers seek to build platforms that comply with national standards.
**Host:** That makes sense. In your view, how should app developers navigate their relationship with major platforms like Google going forward?
**Ashwini Gupta:** Transparency and compliance will be crucial. Developers should stay informed about the policies of these platforms and enhance their understanding of payment structures and guidelines. Open communication with both the platform and regulatory bodies can also be beneficial, helping to avoid misunderstandings that lead to disputes.
**Host:** Thank you, Ashwini. This issue certainly highlights the complex relationship between technology, regulation, and local businesses. We appreciate your insights today.
**Ashwini Gupta:** Thank you for having me. It’s an important conversation that needs to continue.
**Host:** And thank you to our audience for tuning in. Stay with us for more updates on this evolving situation.
