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Indian companies reluctantly follow Google Play rules even as regulators seek intervention

Indian companies whose apps were delisted by Google last week have reluctantly started complying with Play Store billing rules to get their apps back on the store.

Apps like Shaadi, Matrimony.com and Bharat Matrimony have been restored after being removed from the Play Store on Friday. Other apps returning include Info Edge’s Naukri and 99acres, audio storytelling apps Kuku FM and Stage, Alt Balaji’s Altt, and dating service QuackQuack.

Google currently offers three purchasing options for developers. A pay-as-you-go model where you don’t pay for the service (developers like Netflix offer pay-as-you-go only to account holders). Google Play billing system (developers agree to pay Google their 15% or 30% long-term fees). Or, offer an alternative billing system (approximately 4% less developer fees to Google). Many of the developers protesting have so far opted for a consumption-only model, while others have chosen to pay on Google Play.

The companies are also seeking intervention from the government and India’s antitrust watchdog. Last weekend, IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnau said: partnered with Google It said Google’s action to remove the app from its list was “unacceptable.” The affected developers are meeting with the Minister today.

Lal Chand Bis, co-founder and CEO of Kuku FM, accused Google of giving preferential treatment to big companies like Spotify. During the Epic v. Google trial in the US last year, the search giant admitted that Spotify does not pay fees for in-app purchases on Google Play due to the agreement between the two companies.

Distribution issues for developers

At an event last month where Walmart-backed PhonePe launched an alternative app store, startups have had to spend significant marketing dollars to drive installs, and Google’s fees are an added burden for companies. he pointed out.

On Monday, Anupam Mittal, founder of Shaadi.com, echoed this sentiment, saying that companies are losing out on huge amounts of revenue due to Google’s pricing structure.

Android allows alternative app stores, but they haven’t reached massive scale. Aptoid, for example, told TechCrunch last month that it powers 500 million downloads a year from around the world. In India, PhonePe’s newly launched Indus App Store is in its infancy and may not be able to provide a sufficient distribution platform for apps.

In an interview with Hindustan TimesMurugavel Janakiraman, chief executive officer of Bharat Matrimony, said sideloading was not a viable option for the company, which has more than 150 apps on the Play Store.

“Since most people go to the Play Store to download apps, it cannot be offered via sideloading. And what about alternative app stores like the recently launched Indus app store by PhonePe? ?” Janakiraman told the publication.

Google’s claim

Google stood its ground, insisting that it offers developers multiple options to comply with its rules. The search giant said fewer than 60 developers in India are subject to fees of more than 15%.

“While we always work with developers to support them through policy and seek to find workable solutions, we believe that this small group of developers are paying their fair share. Allowing developers to be treated differently from the majority of developers creates an uneven playing field across the ecosystem, leaving all other apps and games at a competitive disadvantage. “This will happen,” the company said. Friday blog post.

Google also noted that the company has given developers three years to comply with Play Store rules. Additionally, Google said it has given developers a three-week grace period. The Supreme Court rejected the lawsuit from the protesting companies. This is to prevent Google from taking action against them.

Companies seeking regulatory action

Companies protesting Google’s move are calling for regulatory intervention. Sanjeev Bikchandani, co-founder of Info Edge, which has developed apps such as Naukri for jobs and 99Acres for real estate listings, has asked the Competition Commission of India (CCI) to take action against Google. did.

Snehil Khanor, co-founder and CEO of dating service TrulyMadly, said: other founders, claimed Google has failed to comply with an earlier CCI ruling allowing developers to use third-party billing systems.

The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), an industry group representing India’s biggest startups and international companies, said it was “deeply concerned” by Google’s move to delist the app.

According to a report by Reuters, Indian startups wrote to CCI on March 1is asking the antitrust agency to intervene and require Google to restore unrestored apps.




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