Google Temporarily Reinstates Over 100 Delisted Indian Apps on Play Store

New Delhi: Alphabet’s Google has announced it will reinstate over 100 Indian apps it had previously removed due to a billing dispute. This move comes after facing pressure from the Indian government and local internet startups. The apps were removed last Friday, including popular ones by Matrimony.com, for not adhering to Google’s policy of paying a service fee for in-app payments through options other than Google’s.

Google stated, “In the spirit of cooperation, we are temporarily reinstating the apps of the developers with appeals pending in the Supreme Court.” This decision follows a closed-door meeting between Google India head Sanjay Gupta and IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. The removal of these apps had drawn criticism from Indian companies, which have been in conflict with Google over various issues for some time.

The dispute revolves around Indian startups’ efforts to resist Google’s imposition of a fee ranging from 11% to 26% on in-app payments, despite orders from the country’s antitrust authorities not to enforce an earlier fee of 15% to 30%. These startups have taken legal action against Google’s policy, including filing cases in the Supreme Court and lodging complaints with the antitrust watchdog.

Ashwini Vaishnaw, the IT minister, expressed disapproval of Google’s app removal decision, stating that it “cannot be permitted.” He also expressed optimism about reaching a long-term resolution between the startup community and Google in the coming months.