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Tag: matrimony apps

  • Google Faces Backlash For Removing Indian Apps From Play Store Amid Fee Dispute |

    New Delhi: Google initiated the removal of apps from 10 companies in India, which notably included popular matrimony apps like Bharat Matrimony. This action arose from a disagreement concerning service fee payments, potentially leading to a clash with startup companies.

    The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) criticized Google's removal of apps belonging to Indian companies and demanded Google to reinstate those delisted apps on its Play Store, on Saturday. (Also Read: Google Removes Some India Matrimony Apps, Executive Calls Move 'Dark Day')

    In a released statement, the association “strongly condemned” the removal of apps from some of the leading consumer digital companies, including Bharatmatrimony, Info Edge, Shaadi.com, and TrulyMadly, from the Play Store. (Also Read: Zoom To Stop Support For Certain iPhones By March 2024: All You Need To Know)

    “The association's governing council has called the delisting of apps unfair and disproportionate,” said IAMAI. Info Edge Founder Sanjeev Bikhchandani posted on X that Indian companies will comply for now.

    “But what India needs is an App Store/Play Store that is a part of Digital Public Infrastructure – like UPI and ONDC. The response needs to be strategic,” Bikhchandani commented.

    The IAMAI urged Google to urgently reinstate the delisted apps and engage in consultations with the industry body or member companies to find “mutually agreeable solutions till the matter is subjudice”.

    The industry body responded after Google said that at least 10 companies, including many well-established ones, “have chosen to not pay for the immense value they receive on Google Play by securing interim protections from court”, and removed some of them from Play Store as it enforces new policies.

    The IAMAI is an non-profit industry body representing 580 companies, including Indian and multinational corporations, as well as startups.

    The Alliance of Digital India Foundation (ADIF), a policy think-tank representing homegrown startups, on Friday condemned the move, saying that by delisting apps, Google is trying to “intimidate and coerce the developers” who have dared to challenge its “exploitative policies”. (With inputs from IANS)

  • Google Removes Some India Matrimony Apps, Executive Calls Move ‘Dark Day’ |

    New Delhi: Google began removing the apps of 10 companies in India on Friday, including some popular matrimony apps such as Bharat Matrimony, in a dispute over service fee payments, potentially sparking a showdown with startup firms.

    The dispute centers on efforts by some Indian startups to stop Google from imposing a fee of 11 percent to 26 percent on in-app payments, after the country’s antitrust authorities ordered it to dismantle an earlier system of charging 15 percent to 30 percent. (Also Read: BIG Bonanza To Farmers Ahead Of Kharif Season! Center Clears Rs 24,400 Crore Fertilizer Subsidy)

    But Google effectively received a go-ahead to charge the fee or remove apps after two court decisions in January and February, one by the Supreme Court, not to give any relief to startups. (Also Read: Bill Gates And PM Modi Meeting: Did You Know Their Topic Of Discussion? Check Here)

    Matrimony.com dating apps Bharat Matrimony, Christian Matrimony, Muslim Matrimony and Jodii were deleted on Friday, company founder Murugavel Janakiraman said, describing the move as a “dark day of Indian Internet”.

    “Our apps are getting deleted one by one”.

    The unit of Alphabet Inc has sent notices of Play Store violations to Indian companies Matrimony.com, which runs the app BharatMatrimony, and Info Edge, which runs a similar app, Jeevansathi.

    Both companies are reviewing the notice and will consider the next steps, their executives told Reuters. Shares of Matrimony.com fell as much as 2.7 percent after the Reuters report, before paring losses, while Info Edge dropped 1.5 percent.

    Info Edge founder Sanjeev Bikhchandani said it had cleared all pending Google invoices in a timely manner and was compliant with its policies.

    In a blog post, Google said 10 Indian companies had chosen for an extended period of time not to pay for the “immense value they receive on Google Play”. It did not identify the firms.

    “For years, no court or regulator has denied Google Play’s right to charge,” the company said on Friday, adding that the Supreme Court on Feb. 9 also “refused to interfere” with its right to do so.

    Google’s app removal could anger the Indian startup community which has been protesting many of the US giant’s practices for years. The firm, which denies any wrongdoing, dominates the Indian market as 94 percent share of phones are based on its Android platform.

    Google says its fee supports investments in the app store and the Android mobile operating system, ensuring free distribution, and covering developer tools and analytic services.

    Just 3 percent of the more than 200,000 Indian developers who use the Google Play platform are required to pay any service fee, it added.