In a recent development, Indian Union IT minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, revealed that Google has commenced the process of restoring Indian apps that were previously removed from the Play Store. This decision came after a direct conversation between the minister and Google officials regarding the removal of apps from 10 Indian developers.
Government Intervention and Collaboration
Vaishnaw stressed the significance of Google’s support for India’s thriving startup ecosystem. Following discussions, Google demonstrated its willingness to cooperate, with the minister engaging in multiple conversations with them since learning about the delisting.
Impact of Google’s Controversial Payments Policy
The removal of these apps was a consequence of Google’s contentious payments policy, which mandates app developers to pay a service fee ranging from 11% to 30% for in-app purchases. This policy sparked concerns among Indian developers, prompting the government to intervene.
Affected Companies and App Relisting
Among the affected companies was Info Edge, witnessing five of its apps disappearing from the Play Store. However, by Saturday afternoon, three of these apps were relisted. Despite this progress, concerns were raised regarding the functionality of the apps without in-app billing.
Sanjeev Bikhchandani’s Acknowledgment
Sanjeev Bikhchandani, the founder of Info Edge, lauded the efforts made in relisting their apps. He commended the tireless dedication of the Info Edge team in managing the crisis efficiently.
Anupam Mittal’s Concerns
However, Anupam Mittal, CEO of Shaadi.com, expressed apprehension about the absence of in-app billing, emphasizing its potential adverse effects on the consumer side of the business. Mittal highlighted the importance of clarity regarding the functionality of the relisted apps.
Clarifications and Disputes
Mittal disputed claims suggesting government intervention led to the restoration of the apps. He clarified that while the apps were indeed relisted, they lacked in-app billing, which could pose challenges for their sustainability in the long term.
Conclusion
The restoration of Indian apps by Google marks a significant step towards resolving the concerns raised by Indian developers and the government. However, the absence of in-app billing remains a point of contention, requiring further clarity and resolution to ensure the sustained viability of these apps.
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