Google Removes Indian Apps Over Policy Violation

On Friday, March 1, 2024, Google delisted 23 apps from 10 Indian developers from its Play Store amid an ongoing dispute over payment policy compliance. These apps include the dating app TrulyMadly, the real estate management platform 99acres, the audio storytelling platforms Kuku FM and Altt (owned by Alt Balaji), the hiring site Naukri, and matrimonial services Shaadi.com and Bharat Matrimony.

Google enforces this action amid a dispute over service fee payments, insisting on a charge of 11% to 26% for in-app purchases.

Several Indian entrepreneurs challenged Google’s pricing structure, leading to a dispute. Google had implemented the new model in response to orders from the nation’s antitrust regulators to revise its earlier pricing, which ranged from 15% to 30%.

Delisting them means that Android users will not be able to search for or download these apps from the Google Play Store. Android powers over 95% of smartphones in India (the operating system), and many of the delisted apps do not have an app for iOS.

Google stated in a blog post that it could remove apps that do not follow its payment policy. In the post, the company said,

For an extended period, 10 companies, including many well-established ones, have chosen not to pay for the immense value they receive on Google Play.

Google stated that allowing biased treatment to the developers would be unfair to the ones who are paying their fair share and would create an uneven playing field, putting all other apps and games at a competitive disadvantage.

The affected developers are actively communicating with Google and trying to resolve the dispute as soon as possible. Millions of users had downloaded many of the delisted apps, which were in high demand. The founder of these apps described it as a “dark day” on the internet.

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