- Google has removed Paytm from the Play Store for repeated violations of its policies.
Google has removed Paytm from the Play Store for repeated violations of its policies. Paytm is the most respected startup in India and it boasts more than 50 million active monthly users. Earlier Friday, its marquee app, which allows users to trade money with each other, disappeared from India’s Play Store.
Google said on Friday that online casinos and other unregulated gambling apps that promote sports betting in India are prohibited by the Play Store, a day before the famous Indian Premier League cricket tournament is scheduled to kick off.
“Google Play is designed to provide our consumers with a safe and secure experience while also providing developers with the platform and instruments they need to build sustainable businesses. In view of the good of all our stakeholders, our global policies have always been designed with that objective in mind, ” Google said in its blog.
Highlighting the issue of online casinos accessible via the app, Google’s Suzanne Frey, Vice President, Product, Android Security, and Privacy, wrote: “We do not allow online casinos or endorse any unregulated gambling apps that promote sports betting.
This involves a breach of our policy if an app leads customers to an external website that allows them to compete in paid tournaments to win real money or cash prizes.
“Our gambling strategy has the same targets. We do not allow casinos online or help any unregulated gambling applications that make sports betting easier. This entails a breach of our policy if an app leads users to an external website that allows them to compete in paid tournaments to win real money or cash prizes, ” Google said on its blog.
And we can take more serious action in the case of persistent policy breaches, which may involve terminating Google Play Developer accounts. Our policies are constantly implemented and imposed on any developer, “she added.
Google has also asked Disney+ Hotstar, one of India’s most successful on-demand video streaming services, to show an alert for fantasy sports apps before running advertisements.
Recently, Paytm roped in Sachin Tendulkar as the brand ambassador of Paytm First Games.
