Google's recent action to remove several Indian apps from its Play Store has sparked criticism from the founders and executives of the impacted companies as well as users across social media platforms.
The technology giant delisted 10 Indian apps from its Play Store, notable among them being BharatMatrimony, Jeevansathi, 99 Acres, Naukri.com, and Shaadi.com.
The hashtag #EvilGoogle began trending on social media platforms following Google's decision. Anupam Mittal, founder of Shaadi.com, expressed his dismay, describing it as a "dark day" for the Indian internet. He highlighted Google's move despite ongoing legal proceedings at the Competition Commission of India (CCI) and the Supreme Court.
Similarly, Sanjeev Bikchandani, co-founder of Info Edge, voiced opposition to the delisting, emphasizing the company's compliance with Google's Play Store policies. Notably, several Info Edge apps, including Naukri.com, Jeevansathi, and 99 Acres, were among those removed.
The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), a non-profit industry body, condemned the removal of these apps and urged Google to reinstate them. The IAMAI's governing council labeled the delisting as unfair and disproportionate.
However, reactions on social media were mixed, with some users blaming Google for monopolistic practices, while others criticized the affected companies for their response to the tech giant's actions.
Amid the ongoing dispute over service fee payments, which prompted Google's decision to delist these apps, the affected startups have pushed back against Google's fee structure. Despite unfavorable court rulings, Google has remained steadfast in its position regarding fee collection or app removal.
The outcome of this dispute between Google and the impacted companies remains uncertain, and it will be interesting to observe how the situation unfolds in the days ahead.
