As is already known, Google had earlier blocked yet another major application on Google Play, and this time it was an Indian payment unicorn, Paytm. The search company decided to block Paytm as it suspected to break the terms of use. Now the company is planning to take on Google and seize a share of its market.
This has important implications for the realm of internet technology. So whether you like reading the latest news on the Telegraph, visiting the 20Bet sports betting and casino site, or playing Among Us on your phone, this development will affect you.
Let’s dig in!
What happened?
The direct accusation concerns the cash-back system, which players can get while playing a cricket game in a casino. Paytm`s CEO Vijay Shekar Sharma expressed his outrage not only because Google did not send any warning email, but because the search company practiced such activity several years ago itself.
Google is overstepping and is dishonest with many companies, says Paytm`s CEO.
The search company is not going to give up at this time. After blocking the system, the company sent an email with explanations. It stated that applications from online casinos or other unlicensed apps violate the Google Play policy. This regulation especially applies to India.
A few hours after Paytm had stopped its services in the app, it started working again. But the company still incurred losses and remained in the red.
It is not the only system that has suffered from Google. Several other smaller startups also remain marginalized by the search company’s policies.
For Indian entrepreneurs and startups, this war means a lot. Defeating the foundations of Google is important because 90% of people in India use Androids. This means that companies will have to work with Google Play. At the same time, it is very disadvantageous, as Indian companies have to pay about 30% of Google and Apple taxes.
But let’s get back to Googlefees. For all apps in its program, the company takes 30% of taxes from each startup. The company’s competitors, Apple, also reacted to this situation. Up to their mind, the tax on all apps in the program should be about 3% and not more. At this moment, Google receives a third of all app sales.
Now Vijay Shekar Sharma plans to follow it through, demanding from Google commission-free operations.
It is also worth mentioning that such Paytm`s reaction is also explained by one pitfall. The matter is that until 2019, Paytm was the leading company in India in terms of fee collection for apps, and had all 40% commissions. After the unified payments interface was installed in November 2019, Paytm’s profits fell 15%. This is another reason for the rebellion against Google.
Is it resolved?
At the moment, Google is a leader among online shopping, in Internet search, as well as the largest browser market. Sharma, along with other small companies in India, is going to fight Google, and take away their rights to commissions.