Google reviewing order to block betting, loan apps

The list includes prominent Indian companies such as PayU-owned buy now pay later platform LazyPay, credit app Kissht and Indiabulls home loans, apart from a number of significant betting platforms like Betway and Dafabet.

The order meanwhile has set alarm bells ringing among India’s fintech firms. (Reuters/File)

Google is reviewing an order issued by the Centre last week, directing intermediaries to block more than 200 apps and websites of gambling, betting, and loan platforms, sources said. The company will comply with the order following its evaluation.

The list includes prominent Indian companies such as PayU-owned buy now pay later platform LazyPay, credit app Kissht and Indiabulls home loans, apart from a number of significant betting platforms like Betway and Dafabet.

The implementation of the government’s directive has not been uniform so far. While telecom service providers seem to have complied with the order by blocking the websites of LazyPay and Kissht, their apps were still available on app stores of Apple and Google at the time of publishing.

“Google has been sent one government order to block certain apps. The company is currently reviewing the order and is evaluating its action on the order,” a source aware of the development said.

The order meanwhile has set alarm bells ringing among India’s fintech firms. In a statement, Kissht’s founder Ranvir Singh said, “The Kissht app and website are working for its customers. We are aware that Google has been asked to take down a list of companies from the Play Store that includes our company, but uncertain about the cause of such a notification. We are meeting officials today to seek clarification. Kissht has no Chinese stakeholders”.

“Due to unavoidable circumstances our website and app are currently unavailable via a few internet service providers. Please be assured that we are doing everything to resolve the issue,” a LazyPay spokesperson said in a statement.

Soumyarendra Barik

Soumyarendra Barik is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express, specializing in the complex and evolving intersection of technology, policy, and society. With over five years of newsroom experience, he is a key voice in documenting how digital transformations impact the daily lives of Indian citizens. Expertise & Focus Areas Barik’s reporting delves into the regulatory and human aspects of the tech world. His core areas of focus include: The Gig Economy: He extensively covers the rights and working conditions of gig workers in India. Tech Policy & Regulation: Analysis of policy interventions that impact Big Tech companies and the broader digital ecosystem. Digital Rights: Reporting on data privacy, internet freedom, and India's prevalent digital divide. Authoritativeness & On-Ground Reporting: Barik is known for his immersive and data-driven approach to journalism. A notable example of his commitment to authentic storytelling involves him tailing a food delivery worker for over 12 hours. This investigative piece quantified the meager earnings and physical toll involved in the profession, providing a verified, ground-level perspective often missing in tech reporting. Personal Interests Outside of the newsroom, Soumyarendra is a self-confessed nerd about horology (watches), follows Formula 1 racing closely, and is an avid football fan. Find all stories by Soumyarendra Barik here. ... Read More

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