BS READS: Under lens, Google treads fine line with new Play Store policy

 

Google has stirred up a storm over several past weeks.

First, it was the spat with Paytm. Google removed Paytm from Play Store for a few hours on September 18 because the latter was promoting its fantasy sports offering Paytm First Games. Google does not host, or allow other apps to promote, fantasy sports on the app store.

Then on September 28, it came out with a policy change. Google said, starting next year, it will charge 30 per cent commission on in-app purchases for all kinds of app businesses. Google already charges in-app purchase commission on certain a category of apps; the latest directive basically makes it apply across the board. Google said only three per cent of app developers will be affected.

The move created furor in the internet business community. App developers and founders took to social media to protest against Google's ostensible abuse of its dominant position. Google’s Android operating system is installed in 98 per cent of Indian smartphones, and its Play Store is the default place of discovery and distribution for any app. There is little recourse for standalone apps but to comply with what Google says. Read More