Google has removed Paytm's mobile application from its mobile app store platform Play Store. The search engine giant has cited its policies on gaming and betting as the reason for the move. Paytm says will be back 'very soon' after app removed from Google Play Store By Rashi Varshney 18th Sep 2020 Google has pulled down Paytm and its gaming app, Paytm First Games, from the Play.
Y Paytm Removed From Play Store
In case you are frequent with online payments, you must have heard about the popular app Paytm, which allows one to make and receive payments. Today, Google pulled the app from the Play Store for repeated policy violations, meaning one can no longer find the app in the Play Store. Why is it so? And, why did Google do so? Let us discuss in brief.
Why Paytm was removed from the Play Store?
Google in its official blog post said that the Play Store prohibits online casinos and other unregulated gambling apps that facilitate sports betting in India. Lucky pants bingo mobile app. This move comes just a day before the beginning of the Indian Premier League (IPL) which is notoriously famous for being a prime reason for betting.Paytm, which promotes fantasy sports services within its marquee app, repeatedly violated the policies of the Play Store, stated two sources.
Additionally, Paytm’s fantasy sports service, Paytm First Games, was also removed from the Play Store for the same reasons. Google stated that if an app leads consumers to an external app or website that allows them to participate in paid tournaments which may result in winning money or cash is also in violation of these rules. Paytm is yet to respond to these claims by Google.
“We have these policies to protect users from potential harm. When an app violates these policies, we notify the developer of the violation and remove the app from the play store until the developer brings the app into compliance”, wrote Suzanne Frey, VP, Product, Android Security, and Privacy, in the above-mentioned post. She added saying, “In the case where there are repeated policy violations, we may take more serious actions which may include terminating Google Play Developer accounts. Our policies are applied and enforced on all developers consistently”.
What are your thoughts on the whole situation? Let us know in the comments below.
Source, Via
- Google removed the Paytm app from the Play Store earlier in the day.
- It’s one of the largest mobile payment platforms in India.
- Paytm claims Google’s flouted competition rules.
Update: September 18, 2020 (11:30 AM ET): The main Paytm payments app is now back on the Google Play Store. However, the Paytm First Games app is still down. One97 Communications — the company that owns Paytm — has now hit back at Google. It claims (via Bloomberg) that Google violated competition rules by removing Paytm from the Play Store.
“They have all the levers and can decide which app can be brought down and when. How is that not a problem?” Madhur Deora, President, One97 Communications told Bloomberg. “You’ve got a player which regulates India’s digital ecosystem while competing with many companies in the same ecosystem,” he added.
Original article: September 18, 2020 (5:58 AM ET): Google has pulled the Paytm app from the Play Store citing policy violations. The mobile payments app can no longer be downloaded from the Google Play Store, but if you already have it, it should work just fine.
Paytm is one of India’s most popular, if not the biggest, online payments and money transfer platforms. According to its data, the Paytm app has over 200 million active users, eclipsing the user base of competitors like Google Pay and PhonePe. It’s also the most valued Indian startup with names like Softbank, Berkshire Hathaway, SAIF Partners, and others backing it. Download betking mobile app.
In a blog post released today, Google said that it doesn’t allow online casinos or support any unregulated gambling apps that facilitate sports betting. “This includes if an app leads consumers to an external website that allows them to participate in paid tournaments to win real money or cash prizes, it is a violation of our policies,” the company noted.
The reason for Paytm’s removal?
Paytm Removed Google Play Store
The Paytm app repeatedly violated these policies, sources familiar with the matter told TechCrunch. The trouble started after Paytm launched a Cricket League Contest on its app that allowed users to win stickers and then exchange them for cash. Even though Google’s own payments app runs similar scratch-and-win promotions, the Paytm app was found to be violating Play Store policies and was booted from it alongside the Paytm First Games app.
Google warned in its blog post that “in the case where there are repeated policy violations, we [Google] may take more serious action which may include terminating Google Play Developer accounts.”
Paytm, meanwhile, has promised that its app will be back very soon. In a tweet, the company assured that “all your money is completely safe and you can continue to enjoy your Paytm app as normal.”
Google has also reportedly asked Disney Plus Hotstar to display a warning before running ads for fantasy sports apps.
