- Google removed the Paytm app from the Play Store earlier in the day.
- It’s one of the largest mobile payment platforms in India.
- Paytm claims Google’s flouted competition rules.
Update: September 18, 2020 (11:30 AM ET): The main Paytm payments app is now back on the Google Play Store. However, the Paytm First Games app is still down. One97 Communications — the company that owns Paytm — has now hit back at Google. It claims (via Bloomberg) that Google violated competition rules by removing Paytm from the Play Store.
“They have all the levers and can decide which app can be brought down and when. How is that not a problem?” Madhur Deora, President, One97 Communications told Bloomberg. “You’ve got a player which regulates India’s digital ecosystem while competing with many companies in the same ecosystem,” he added.
The Paytm Android app has thus been unlisted from Google’s Play Store and is temporarily unavailable to users for new downloads or updates.” While it is clear that all activities on Paytm are completely lawful, we have temporarily removed the cashback component in an effort to meet the Play Store policy requirements. After Google removed Paytm app from Play Store, the company in a blog post had assured its users that their balances & linked accounts are completely safe. Paytm app deleted from play store: Google has removed the Paytm app from the Play Store after the latter violated gambling policies. Paytm says the app will work normally and updates will be. Google has taken off the Paytm app from the Play Store. Although the reason for the takedown remains unclear, Google has hinted at Paytm violating its gambling policies. Google is yet to give out. Google has removed Paytm's mobile application from its mobile app store platform Play Store. The search engine giant has cited its policies on gaming and betting as the reason for the move.
Original article: September 18, 2020 (5:58 AM ET): Google has pulled the Paytm app from the Play Store citing policy violations. The mobile payments app can no longer be downloaded from the Google Play Store, but if you already have it, it should work just fine.
Paytm is one of India’s most popular, if not the biggest, online payments and money transfer platforms. According to its data, the Paytm app has over 200 million active users, eclipsing the user base of competitors like Google Pay and PhonePe. It’s also the most valued Indian startup with names like Softbank, Berkshire Hathaway, SAIF Partners, and others backing it.
In a blog post released today, Google said that it doesn’t allow online casinos or support any unregulated gambling apps that facilitate sports betting. “This includes if an app leads consumers to an external website that allows them to participate in paid tournaments to win real money or cash prizes, it is a violation of our policies,” the company noted.
The reason for Paytm’s removal?
The Paytm app repeatedly violated these policies, sources familiar with the matter told TechCrunch. The trouble started after Paytm launched a Cricket League Contest on its app that allowed users to win stickers and then exchange them for cash. Even though Google’s own payments app runs similar scratch-and-win promotions, the Paytm app was found to be violating Play Store policies and was booted from it alongside the Paytm First Games app.
Google warned in its blog post that “in the case where there are repeated policy violations, we [Google] may take more serious action which may include terminating Google Play Developer accounts.”
Paytm Removed From Play Store Login
Paytm, meanwhile, has promised that its app will be back very soon. In a tweet, the company assured that “all your money is completely safe and you can continue to enjoy your Paytm app as normal.”
Paytm Removed From Play Store Account
Google has also reportedly asked Disney Plus Hotstar to display a warning before running ads for fantasy sports apps.