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New Delhi:
Google’s recent decision to remove popular apps from 10 Indian developers from its Play Store for “violating billing policies” sparked a wave of criticism and concern.
Some of the apps excluded from the list also include popular matrimonial apps like Bharat Matrimony, Telugu Matrimony and dating apps like Truly Madly and QuackQuack. Domestic video streaming platform Stage, Balaji Telefilms’ Altt and audio streaming app Kuku FM were also removed.
The move sparked tensions between local internet companies and tech giants and prompted strong reactions from key players in India’s startup ecosystem.
Anupam Mittal, founder of dating app Shaadi.com, expressed regret over the removal of the important app and declared it a “black day for the Indian internet”.
“Today is a dark day for the Indian internet. Google has delisted major apps from its app store despite ongoing legal hearings at the Competition Commission of India and the Supreme Court of India,” Mittal said. posted on X (old Twitter).
“Their false narrative and audacity shows that they have little regard for it…make no mistake, this is the new digital East India Company and this Lagaan must be stopped.” he said, adding the hashtag “EvilGoogle.”
— Anupam Mittal (@AnupamMittal) March 1, 2024
Vinay Singhal, CEO of STAGE, an OTT platform whose app was removed from the Play Store, also expressed concern, saying Google’s recent actions go against the company’s once famous motto: “Don’t be evil.” .
“The STAGE app was removed from the Google Play Store today with a few hours’ notice because we refused to bow to our exclusive policy of only allowing our own billing systems within the app. We’ve all read about how the East India Company took over this country some 400 years ago, but this must have felt like when it happened (and probably 100 times more).” he said.
Singhal sends a plea to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, praising his efforts in building a Digital India, while also pointing out the potential threat “Digital East India companies” like Google pose to India’s startup ecosystem. emphasized.
“This will leave hundreds of millions of Indians unable to use their favorite apps. More than 10lac new users will download STAGE every month to consume content in their own dialects, making it difficult to use Google’s actions today. They will be stripped of their content because of this,” he added.
For a company whose motto was once “do no evil,” Google seems to be doing no wrong at this point.
The STAGE app was removed from Google Playstore today with a few hours’ notice. This is because we refuse to bow to Google’s exclusive permissions policy. pic.twitter.com/VRZqxun2PR
— Vinay Singhal (stage.in) (@vinaykrsinghal) March 1, 2024
Sanjeev Bhikchandani, founder of technology holding company Info Edge, has proposed setting up India’s own mobile app store to counter Google’s actions.
“Indian companies will comply for now. But what India needs is an App Store/Play Store that is part of the digital public infrastructure like UPI and ONDC. The response needs to be strategic. ” he wrote on X and tagged Union Minister Piyush Goyal.
Indian companies will likely comply for now. But what India needs is an App Store/Play Store that is part of the digital public infrastructure like UPI and ONDC.Need to respond strategically @piyushgoyal@piyushgoyaloffc
— Sanjeev Bikhchandani (@sbikh) March 1, 2024
Kuku FM CEO Lal Chand Bis criticized Google, calling it “the most evil company for businesses” after the audio storytelling app was removed.
“Google is the worst corporate evil. The startup system in India is completely controlled by Google,” he said.
When Google delisted Kuku FM without notice in 2019, Bisu described it as “the worst days ever” and said he worked tirelessly while the app was unavailable on the Play Store. He talked about his impact on the team.
Faced with a similar situation again, Mr. Bis said, “We now have no choice but to accept their terms. But when a monopoly starts to care about something other than itself.”
Mr. Biss appealed for intervention, asking the Indian government to “step in and save the startup ecosystem.”
Google is the most evil company ever. Our Indian startup system is completely controlled by them.
In 2019, Google delisted the company within 25 days without prior notice. Worst days ever. Imagine the atmosphere your team works in your office every day.
— Lal Chand Bisu (@lcbisu) March 1, 2024
The uproar comes amidst Google’s overwhelming dominance, with over 97% of India’s smartphone market.
