With an explanation of non-compliance with billing policies, Google recently decided to remove ten popular apps, including the popular matrimony app shadi.com, developed by Indian developers, from the Play Store. This move has sparked outrage and raised worries.
Among the delisted apps are names like Bharat Matrimony, Shaadi.com, Telugu Matrimony, and dating apps like Truly Madly and QuackQuack. Popular video-streaming platforms Stage, Balaji Telefilms’ Altt, and audio streaming app Kuku FM have also been removed.
Leading names in the Indian startup scene have responded strongly to the move, which has heightened tensions between the Internet giant and local internet companies.
Shaadi.com’s founder, Anupam Mittal, voiced his disappointment over the removal of important apps, calling it a dark day for India’s Internet.
Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, Mittal said today is a dark day for the Indian Internet. Google has delisted major apps from its app store even though legal proceedings are underway at the Competition Commission of India and the Supreme Court of India.
He also said, their false narratives and audacity show they have little regard for… Make no mistake. This is the new Digital East India Co., and this Lagaan must be stopped, he added.
In another tweet, he said Google is evil, as he used the hashtag #EvilGoogle.
The CEO of the OTT platform STAGE, Vinay Singhal, whose app was removed from the Play Store, expressed similar worries, stating that Google’s recent moves went against the company’s once-famous motto, Don’t be evil.
Kuku FM’s CEO Lal Chand Bisu, called Google the most evil company for businesses, after their audio storytelling app was taken down.
Speaking about a previous incident in which Google delisted Kuku FM in 2019 without giving any notice, Bisu called those days the worst days ever, citing the effect on the team’s ability to work nonstop even if their app was unavailable on the Play Store.
Meanwhile, other CEOs also raised their voices against Google, whose apps were removed from the Play Store.
With over 97% of the smartphone market in India, Google has an overwhelming amount of power, which is why there is an outcry.