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Apps Return to Play Store Post-Compliance with Google Billing Standards

Sunday saw the return of a few more apps to the Play Store following their compliance with Google’s billing policy. However, the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) expressed concerns because the majority of the removed apps were still delisted. Only eight of the company’s applications, including Bengali Matrimony, Marathi Matrimony, Tamil Matrimony, Jodii, and Bharat Matrimony, were restored on Sunday, according to Murugavel J, founder and CEO of matrimony.com. However, their reinstatement was contingent upon their acceptance of Google’s criteria. He said that most of its more than 100 apps had still not been reinstated to the Play Store.

“Google has not taken steps to reinstate all the apps that it had delisted over billing policies, despite the government’s clear message on the matter,” Murugavel said to PTI. On Saturday, IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw made it apparent that “startups will get the protection they need” and that Google’s decision to remove certain apps was inappropriate. Google’s removal of several Indian apps from its Play Store due to a dispute over service fee payments sparked a rift between the internet giant and some Indian apps on Friday. The apps are outraged and have blasted Google for its actions, as have well-known company owners. IAMAI released a statement denouncing the ongoing delisting of the affected Indian apps and stating that it believes these punitive actions to be unjust and out of proportion during an ongoing judicial proceeding. IAMAI voiced grave concerns since most apps kept getting delisted. It is important to note that, to address the problem, the government is probably going to meet with Google and representatives of the affected apps on Monday.

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Among the few apps that were back on the Google Play Store on Saturday were Shaadi.com, Naukri, and 99acres, presumably because they conformed with the tech giant’s rules. Meanwhile, the government held a conference with the two parties and made it clear that delisting Indian apps is prohibited. According to IAMAI, to encourage the expansion and development of an open Internet ecosystem in India, the IT ecosystem in that nation must be safeguarded and given favorable terms that are tailored to the specifics of the domestic market. The trade association asked Google to put the apps back in their original order and relist them on the Play Store the way they have been since launch. It stated, “We implore Google to engage in dialogue with the relevant parties and strive towards a rational and reciprocal resolution.”