With Google delisting apps over billing policy, Indian startups are seeking a solution to tackle the issue.
Tech industry body IAMAI (Internet and Mobile Association of India) has urged Google not to delist Indian apps from Play Store after Google removed certain startup applications for allegedly not complying with payment policy.
The development came after the tech giant removed matrimony, job and real estate apps from its platform.
IAMAI, a not-for-profit body with more than 500 members, has said that Google had sent notices to four of its members over billing policy.
"The affected members of IAMAI are of the view that a substantive hearing of the case is pending before the Supreme Court of India, and Google should not take any coercive action during the pendency of the case," the industry body said.
Google clarified that existing users can still continue using these apps but new downloads will not be available as of now. Among the affected apps are matrimony apps like Shaadi, Matrimony.com, Jodii and Bharat Matrimony and dating apps like Truly Madly and Quack Quack. Other delisted apps include Naukri, 99acres, Shiksha and KukuFM.
Last month, the Supreme Court declined to pass an order to protect firms such as Shaadi and Matrimony.com from being delisted. The court will hear their pleas challenging Google's billing policy on March 19.
Meanwhile, Sanjeev Bikchandani, the co-founder of Info Edge, one of the country's oldest internet firms, told Moneycontrol that anti-trust regulator Competition Commission of India (CCI) must initiate action against the tech giant over its anti-competitive behaviour.
