Google to restore Indian apps following talks with IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw

Google has decided to restore Indian mobile apps that were removed from the Play Store after a dispute over service fees. The resolution came after Google officials engaged in discussions with India’s IT Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw. 

The controversy arose when Google removed apps of 10 Indian companies, including prominent names like Bharatmatrimony and Naukri, due to a disagreement over fees imposed on in-app payments, ranging from 11% to 26%.

The dispute had sparked a backlash from Indian startups, who have long criticized what they consider unfair practices by the US tech giant. The dominant position of Google’s Android platform, used in 94% of phones in India, amplifies the impact of such disagreements in one of its fastest-growing markets.

Matrimony.com, the parent company of Bharat Matrimony and other matchmaking services, expressed disappointment over the removal of its apps, emphasizing the potential broader impact on matrimony services. The founder, Murugavel Janakiraman, described it as a ‘dark day for India’s internet.’

Google’s decision to restore the apps followed a meeting with IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. The minister had earlier highlighted the need to protect the Indian startup ecosystem and the government aimed to convey the same to Google. 

The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) also urged Google not to delist any apps from the Play Store, emphasizing that a substantive hearing of the case was pending before the Supreme Court of India.

This isn’t the first time Google faced such controversies in India. In 2020, the tech giant briefly removed the popular Indian payments app Paytm from its Play Store, citing policy violations. 

The move led to a collective response from the startup industry, challenging Google by launching their own app stores and filing legal cases. Google later reversed its decision in the case of Paytm.