IAMAI slams Google for removing certain apps; urges their reinstatement

The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) has strongly condemned the removal of some of the most prominent consumer digital companies’ app from Google Play Store, including those of Bharatmatrimony, Info Edge, Shaadi.com, and TrulyMadly, and has urged urges Google to reinstate the delisted apps.

The Association’s governing council has in a statement called the delisting of apps unfair and disproportionate. The association has urged Google to urgently reinstate the delisted apps and engage in consultations with the industry body or member companies to find mutually agreeable solutions till the matter is sub judice.

In its blog published on March 1, 2024, Google stated that “for an extended period of time, 10 companies, including many well-established ones, have chosen to not pay for the immense value they receive on Google Play by securing interim protections from court. These developers comply with payment policies of other app stores.”

“After giving these developers more than three years to prepare, including three weeks after the Supreme Court’s order, we are taking necessary steps to ensure our policies are applied consistently across the ecosystem, as we do for any form of policy violation globally,” Google further stated, adding, “Enforcement of our policy, when necessary, can include removal of non-compliant apps from Google Play.”

Problems emanates from some Indian apps seeking to stop Google from imposing a fee of 11% to 26% on in-app payments, after the earlier system of charging 15% to 30% fee was removed by India’s antitrust authorities.

Google stated, “For years, no court or regulator has denied Google Play’s right to charge for the value and services we provide. On February 9, the Supreme Court also refused to interfere with our right to do so. While some of the developers that were refused interim protection have started fairly participating in our business model and ecosystem, others choose to find ways to not do so.”