Google temporarily reinstates all local apps on Play Store
Google announced on Tuesday that it’s temporarily reinstating all suspended Indian apps on the Play Store, provided developers comply with its policies.
“In the spirit of cooperation, we are temporarily reinstating the apps of the developers with appeals pending in Supreme Court. However, Google maintains its right to implement and enforce its business model as was established in various courts. We will invoice our full applicable services fees in the interim, and extend payment timelines for these companies. We look forward to a collaborative effort and find solutions that respect the needs of all the parties,” a Google spokesperson said in a statement.
This development comes after Google executives met with Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, and a group of Indian founders, marking the first joint meet since it suspended these apps on Friday.
After the meeting, the minister said that the government recognises the technology firm’s efforts in building the digital ecosystem in India, and the electronics and information technology ministry will work with all parties to “reach a long-term solution in coming months.”
The company has informed all startups that they have the option to relist all their apps on the Play Store, but in-app purchases will be effective immediately, said a senior executive privy to Google’s stance on the matter, seeking anonymity.
While Google started restoring the suspended apps since Saturday, it was so far based on its “consumption model”, that does not allow apps to accept payments from users, instead mandating them to redirect users to a web page to sell their services.
Snehil Khanor, founder and chief executive of suspended startup TrulyMadly, said that it considers this as “Google’s abuse of market dominance”.
Two officials said the government will investigate whether the company is exercising its dominant market position before sharing its view. While in-app billing will be available to apps immediately, Google will offer a longer payment settlement cycle for the time being. A decision was not yet taken on the payment cycle duration.The matter is under judicial scrutiny. On 9 February, the Supreme Court declined to grant a stay against Google’s right to enforce its commercial model for Android marketplace, Play Store.
This follows a meet of Google executives, IT minister Vaishnaw & founders—a first since the apps’ suspension