Google reactivates ten banned Indian Apps after the Indian Govt reprimanded Google

New Delhi – Google has initiated the process to restore ten Indian mobile Apps which had been removed from the Play Store for a dispute over service fees, following objections from the Union Government.

In this regard, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had said that Google cannot be allowed to remove Indian Apps in the context of ‘in-app payments’. Representatives of Google and startups have been called for a meeting next week to resolve the dispute over Apps being removed from the Play Store.

Google restores 10 Indian Apps on Play Store following Indian Government’s Warning

Union Minister Shri. @AshwiniVaishnaw declared that Google cannot be permitted to remove Indian apps due to ‘in-app payment’ issues.

A meeting involving representatives from Google and the… pic.twitter.com/9EMnAcuRm2

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) March 3, 2024

On 1st March, Google removed these Apps, citing payment policies. Google had said that the Apps that were removed were given a 3-year grace period, but they refused to accept our policy.

Union Minister Vaishnaw said that India’s policy is very clear. Our startups will get the protection they need. I hope Google will consider it. We have a growing startup plan and it is important to protect its interests.

The dispute primarily revolves around Google’s imposition of fees ranging from 11% to 26% on in-app payments. Google has implemented this fee after the authority’s order to do away with the earlier fee structure of 15% to 30%.

Several establishments had filed complaints against Google over the charges. The Competition Commission of India had ordered an inquiry against it in May last year.

Google removed the Apps – Bharat Matrimony, Shaadi.com, Naukri.com, 99acres.com, Alt, Stage, Aha, Tully Madly, Kuku FM, Quick and FRND.