Earlier today, Google initiated the removal of Android applications developed by major Indian app developers due to violations of its app billing policy.
The action by Google to take down Android apps from leading Indian app developers for violating its app billing policy commenced earlier today.
According to sources at Moneycontrol, Info Edge-owned businesses Naukri and 99acres have been removed from the Google Play Store. As of the time of writing this article, the apps were not accessible on the platform. However, the company’s matrimony business, JeevanSathi, remains available on the Play Store.
This action is part of Google’s recent efforts to remove apps developed by Indian developers that have allegedly violated its app billing policy over an extended period.
Sanjeev Bikchandani, founder of Info Edge, informed Moneycontrol that the company has been compliant with Google’s app policies since February 9, following an interim order by the Supreme Court in a case regarding Google’s app billing policy. Bikchandani stated that all dues to Google have been paid punctually.
Several other apps have also been removed from the Play Store as part of Google’s recent crackdown. These include matrimony firms Matrimony and Shaadi.com, streaming platforms Altt, Stage, and Aha, dating apps Truly Madly and Quack Quack, audio content platform Kuku FM, and social networking app FRND.
The recent removal of apps from Google Play Store follows the Supreme Court’s decision on February 9, 2024, to not issue an interim order protecting internet firms like Matrimony.com and Shaadi.com from being delisted. The case has been scheduled for a hearing on March 19.
App developers had approached the Supreme Court after the Madras High Court dismissed their plea challenging Google’s enforcement of its app billing policy.
Google stated in a blog post that it is taking these actions to prevent granting preferential treatment to a select group of developers, as doing so would create an “uneven playing field” across the ecosystem, putting other apps at a “competitive disadvantage.”
According to Google, over 200,000 Indian developers currently comply with its policies on Google Play.
In the event of delisting, Google mentioned that developers can resubmit their apps by integrating one of three billing options: Google Play’s own billing system, an alternate billing system alongside Google Play’s, or operating on a consumption-only basis (without any service fee) where users have paid for the content or service outside the app.
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