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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What are the main reasons behind Google’s decision to remove key Indian apps from the Play Store?
**Interview on Google’s Removal of Key Indian Apps from the Play Store**
**Interviewer:** Welcome, everyone. Today, we have an important topic to discuss: the recent removal of major Indian apps, including the popular matrimonial app ‘Bharat Matri Muni’ and job search app ‘Nukri’, from Google’s Play Store. To help us understand the implications of this decision, we have with us Dr. Anjali Rao, a technology policy expert. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Rao.
**Dr. Anjali Rao:** Thank you for having me. I’m glad to be here.
**Interviewer:** Dr. Rao, could you explain why Google removed these apps from its Play Store?
**Dr. Anjali Rao:** Certainly. Google cited that these applications failed to comply with its guidelines, particularly concerning the payment of service fees. This relates to Google’s broader policy regarding in-app purchases and monetization mechanisms that developers must follow.
**Interviewer:** This has sparked a significant reaction from the Indian government, especially from IT Minister Ashwani Vaishnu. What are his main concerns regarding Google’s actions?
**Dr. Anjali Rao:** Minister Vaishnu has expressed strong discontent with Google’s decision, arguing that the removal of such essential applications should not be allowed. His comments reflect deeper concerns about the balance of power between tech giants and sovereign states, particularly regarding regulatory compliance and local business practices.
**Interviewer:** How does this incident fit into the ongoing tension between the Indian government and large tech companies like Google?
**Dr. Anjali Rao:** This incident is indicative of a larger struggle. India has been increasingly assertive in regulating tech companies that operate within its borders, especially concerning local business practices and data privacy. This removal of apps could be seen as an infringement on the rights of Indian developers and consumers, which not only fuels local suspicions but also escalates tensions over the regulatory environment for tech firms.
**Interviewer:** What do you think could be the potential implications for app developers in India?
**Dr. Anjali Rao:** If this situation escalates, it could lead to a chilling effect on app development in India. Developers may face uncertainty about compliance requirements and the risk of removal from platforms without clear communication. Moreover, it can stifle innovation and discourage new market entrants, as smaller players might not have the legal or financial resources to navigate these complexities.
**Interviewer:** What steps can both parties take to resolve this conflict?
**Dr. Anjali Rao:** Dialogue is essential. Google should engage constructively with the Indian government to ensure their policies are compatible with local laws while supporting local developers. Conversely, the Indian government could work towards clearer frameworks that allow for compliance while protecting its domestic tech ecosystem.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Rao, for your insights on this critical issue. It will be interesting to see how this situation unfolds and what it means for the future of digital commerce in India.
**Dr. Anjali Rao:** Thank you for the opportunity. It’s crucial that we continue to monitor the developments in this space.
**Interviewer:** And thank you to our audience for tuning in. Stay informed as we continue to follow this story.
