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.
This is so unfair. Google is employing a divide-and-conquer strategy here. They are negotiating with several companies to settle with Google tax relief. They already have a secret agreement with Spotify where Spotify pays no taxes to Google. Many large companies are still not compliant with Google…
— Lal Chand Bisu (@lcbisu) March 2, 2024
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.
The core of the problem stems from Apple and Google's attempts to transform the open internet into a closed app ecosystem that allows them to dominate the internet economy. They have already managed to control large swathes of the internet and now they want 100% control.
Current Issue – Google wants…
— Anupam Mittal (@AnupamMittal) March 4, 2024
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.
Bharat Matrimony CEO Murugavel Janakiraman said in an interview with Hindustan Times that sideloading is not a viable option for the company, which has over 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. ,” the company said in a blog post on Friday.
Google also noted that the company has given developers three years to comply with Play Store rules. It also said it gave Google a three-week grace period to refrain from filing lawsuits against developers after the Supreme Court rejected the companies' lawsuits.
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 CCI passed an order in October 2022 stating that while Google cannot restrict the use of third-party billing systems by all developers, Google has chosen not to comply with direct orders. . #EvilGoogle pic.twitter.com/7aNLV2pBcG
— Snehil Khanor (@snehilkhanor) March 1, 2024
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 Reuters report, the Indian startup sent a letter to the CCI on March 1, asking the antitrust body to intervene and request Google to restore the unrestored apps.