Google Removes 10 Indian Apps From Play Store Over Fee Dispute

Google has removed the apps of 10 Indian companies from its Play Store over a dispute regarding the payment of service fees. The affected apps include popular matrimonial, dating, job search, and audio streaming platforms, such as BharatMatrimony, Truly Madly, Naukri, and Kuku FM.

The dispute stems from Google’s policy of charging a fee of 11% to 26% on in-app payments, which was introduced after the Competition Commission of India (CCI) ordered Google to scrap its previous system of charging 15% to 30%. Google claims that its fees are standard in the industry and help maintain a secure and consistent experience for users and developers. However, many Indian app developers have challenged Google’s policy, saying that it is unfair, arbitrary, and monopolistic. They have also argued that Google’s policy violates India’s competition laws and harms the interests of the Indian app ecosystem.

Google said that it gave the developers more than three years to prepare for the new fee structure, including three weeks after the Supreme Court’s order, which refused to interfere with Google’s right to charge the fees. Google said that it is taking necessary steps to ensure its policies are applied consistently across the ecosystem, as it does for any form of policy violation globally.

However, some of the app developers have expressed their dismay and frustration with Google’s actions, saying that they have paid all the pending Google invoices on time and followed its policies. They have also accused Google of favoring its own products, such as YouTube Music, over other apps. Some of them have even called for a Digital Public Infrastructure, like UPI and ONDC, to create an alternative app store that is independent of Google’s dominance.

IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has invited representatives from Google for a meeting on Monday over the issue. He said that he is hopeful that Google will be reasonable in its approach and that he will take all necessary steps to safeguard the Indian startup ecosystem. He said that he trusts that Google, which has adapted well to digital payments, will approach this matter reasonably.

The conflict between Google and the Indian app developers is not just a matter of fees and policies, but also a reflection of the larger issues of digital sovereignty, data privacy, and innovation in India. As the world’s second-largest internet market, India has a huge potential and a diverse range of users and creators. How the Indian government and the app developers will deal with Google’s policy and its implications will have a significant impact on the future of the Indian digital space.

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