The Indian digital landscape is currently witnessing a significant upheaval following Google’s recent decision to delist several Indian apps from its Play Store. This move has sparked a nationwide debate over digital sovereignty, monopolistic practices, and the survival of Indian startups in the face of global tech giants.
Anupam Mittal, the Shark Tank judge and founder of Shaadi.com, has been at the forefront of the outcry against Google. He took to social media to express his dismay, stating,
“Today is a dark day for India Internet. Google has delisted major apps from its app store even though legal hearings are underway @CCI_India & @indSupremeCourt. Their false narratives & audacity show they have little regard for 🇮🇳 Make no mistake – this is the new Digital East India Co and this #Lagaan must be stopped! Pls RT and #SaveOurStartups.”
This statement encapsulates the growing frustration among Indian entrepreneurs regarding Google’s dominant market position and its implications for local businesses.
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Mittal didn’t stop there; he further emphasized the urgent need for governmental intervention, urging the Competition Commission of India (CCI) to ensure Google’s compliance with their orders and to immediately restore all apps that were delisted. His concerns stem from Google’s service fee policy, which has been a bone of contention between the tech giant and Indian app developers. Google maintains that its fee sustains its efforts and benefits Indian developers through tiered pricing programs. However, this has done little to mitigate the concerns of the Indian digital community.
The controversy has led to the delisting of prominent apps such as Bharat Matrimony, Telugu Matrimony, Tamil Matrimony, Marathi Matrimony, Matrimony.com’s Jodii, People Group’s Shaadi.com, and dating apps like Truly Madly and QuackQuack. This action has not only impacted the companies behind these apps but has also ignited a broader debate on the alternatives available for Indian developers, including distribution through other Android app stores or directly via their websites.
The industry’s backlash was immediate, with the Alliance of Digital India Foundation (ADIF) stating that this issue extends beyond the ten developers and threatens the entire Indian digital sector due to Google’s dominance and monopoly.
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Following Google’s actions, Union Minister of Electronics & IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw, stepped in, leading to the restoration of multiple Indian apps on the Play Store. However, these apps returned without in-app billing features, as clarified by Mittal in a subsequent post. This development has spurred calls for the creation of an indigenous app store as part of India’s Digital Public Infrastructure, a sentiment echoed by Info Edge co-founder Sanjeev Bikchandani.
The removal of the apps has also led to a social media uproar, with hashtags like #EvilGoogle trending as users and industry leaders voice their frustrations and demand action against Google’s perceived anti-competitive behavior. The debate extends to the broader implications of such monopolistic practices on the Indian digital economy and the need for a more equitable digital space that supports local businesses and innovation.
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As this dispute unfolds, the digital community watches closely, hoping for a resolution that balances the interests of global tech giants with the aspirations and needs of Indian startups. The ongoing controversy underscores the critical need for dialogue, regulation, and a reevaluation of the digital ecosystem’s power dynamics, ensuring a fair and competitive market for all stakeholders involved.
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