NEW DELHI: Following criticism from the government and regional internet entrepreneurs, Alphabet’s Google (GOOGL.O) announced on Tuesday that it will reinstate the Indian apps that it had removed due to a billing dispute.
The popular Matrimony.com (MATI.NS) app was among the more than 100 Indian apps that the US company banned on Friday for violating its policy of charging a service fee if in-app payment methods other than Google’s are utilized.
“In the spirit of cooperation, we are temporarily reinstating the apps of the developers with appeals pending in the Supreme Court,” Google stated in a statement.
According to a person acquainted with the negotiations, Google India CEO Sanjay Gupta and IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw met behind closed doors and decided on the decision.
Indian businesses, many of whom have been at odds with Google for years, criticized the app deletions.
The disagreement revolves around attempts by a few Indian entrepreneurs to prevent Google from enforcing an earlier fee of 15%–30% on in-app purchases, following an order from the nation’s antitrust authorities to refrain from doing so. The companies have filed challenges against Google’s policy with the antitrust agency and other courts, including the Supreme Court.
After meeting with Google, Vaishnaw told Reuters partner ANI, “We believe that both the start-up community as well as Google would be able to come to a long-term resolution.”
Google’s decision to remove apps was condemned by Vaishnaw on Saturday, stating that it “cannot be permitted”.
