Google temporarily allows Indian apps back on Play Store, but conditions apply

Google’s statement came after a meeting with IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw where impacted start-ups were also present.

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Impacted apps will have to submit an updated version to Google who will restore them after a review, it is understood. The process could take a few days.

Google will temporarily reinstate all Indian apps that it had removed from its Play Store along with their billing systems, the company said on Tuesday, marking a momentary break in the fallout between the firm and the country’s start-ups. The company will continue to raise invoices for the service fee these apps owe but will seek that at a later date which it has not clarified.

Google’s statement came after a meeting with IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw where impacted start-ups were also present.

“We have spoken to both Google as well as the startup community. Google has agreed to re-list the apps with the same status as on Friday, 1st March, 2024. Google and India’s startup community will engage with each other to find a long-term solution to all issues in consonance with India’s legal framework…” Vaishnaw said in a statement.

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A Google spokesperson said that the company will invoice its full applicable service fee in the meantime: “…we are temporarily reinstating the apps of the developers with appeals pending in the Supreme Court. Google maintains its right to implement and enforce its business model, as established in various courts. We will invoice our full applicable services fees in the interim…”

Impacted apps will have to submit an updated version to Google who will restore them after a review, it is understood. The process could take a few days.

Last week, Google had removed hundreds of apps of prominent Indian developers including Naukri, Shaadi.com, and 99Acres over what it called were violations of its billing policies – essentially these apps had not deployed a payments system which could bifurcate Google’s commission whenever a user made an in-app purchase. Some apps were earlier relisted albeit without having a payments system.