Google has reinstated several Indian apps, including flagship platforms like Naukri, 99acres, and Naukri Gulf, on its Play Store after the government intervened to resolve the dispute. This move comes after the technology giant faced criticism for delisting apps due to disagreements on in-app transaction fees.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw expressed the government’s strong opposition to Google’s decision to delist certain apps, stating, “Government takes a strong view of Google delisting some apps from Play Store. We will not allow delisting of apps.” Following this intervention, Google reinstated apps from Info Edge India and People Group, such as Shaadi, on Saturday afternoon.
Info Edge co-founder Sanjeev Bikchandani praised the efforts of the Info Edge team, led by Hitesh, for the successful reinstatement of many apps on the Play Store. The government’s stance against Google’s actions is seen as a positive development for affected companies, although the fate of remaining delisted apps remains uncertain.
The controversy arose when Google removed these apps, citing disagreements over in-app transaction fees ranging from 11% to 26%. The affected companies resisted Google’s fee structure, leading to the removal of their apps from the Play Store.
The government’s involvement and strong opposition, coupled with criticism on social media and condemnation from industry bodies like the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), compelled Google to reconsider its actions. IAMAI condemned the removal of apps from prominent consumer digital companies and urged Google to reinstate the delisted apps.
While the reinstatement of some apps is a positive step, the tech community and affected companies await further clarity on whether Google will restore the remaining apps that were taken down.
