Indian Startups Rally Against Google’s Dominance
Indian developers and startup giants are joining forces to challenge Google’s dominance in the digital ecosystem by exploring the possibility of creating a ‘Made in India’ alternative for an app store. Reports suggest that prominent figures such as Paytm’s Vijay Shekhar Sharma, MakeMyTrip’s Deep Kalra, and several other startup founders are uniting to deliberate on the establishment of an Indian-centric app store.
Rising Concerns Over Google’s Policies
This initiative stems from growing discontent among Indian startups following a series of contentious moves by Google that have placed them in precarious positions. The upheaval began when Paytm faced temporary removal from the Play Store for allegedly violating rules related to fantasy gaming promotions. Google’s enforcement actions prompted criticism from Paytm’s Sharma, who accused the tech giant of assuming the roles of “judge, jury, and executioner.”
Discontent Escalates with New Payment Policies
Tensions further escalated with Google’s introduction of new payment policies, mandating a 30% tax on all in-app purchases, which also encompassed a wide array of applications including those focused on entertainment, education, dating, and fitness. Despite Google’s assertion that the policy only affects a small fraction of developers, the Indian developer community expressed dissatisfaction, advocating for the establishment of an indigenous app store.
Recent Incidents Fuel Calls for Alternative Platforms
More recently, food tech unicorns Swiggy and Zomato found themselves at odds with Google’s policies due to their promotional activities related to the Indian Premier League (IPL). Both startups received notices regarding their in-app gamification features and cashback offers associated with the IPL.
Zomato responded by announcing its intention to comply with Google’s guidelines by replacing the IPL-related program with a more compliant alternative. Similarly, Swiggy decided to suspend its IPL-led games on the app, signaling a growing reluctance among Indian startups to abide by Google’s terms without exploring alternative avenues.
As discontent among Indian startups continues to mount, the prospect of an Indian app store emerges as a potential solution to mitigate their dependence on global tech giants and assert greater control over their digital destiny.
