Paytm Removed From Google App Store, Step Was Taken Due To Violation Of Policies
Shikha Chaurasia
Pune, September 18, 2020: The Paytm app has been removed from the Google Play Store. You can no longer download this app on your smartphone. This move of the Play Store is being seen in association with Paytm’s fantasy game offerings. Interestingly, Google India has published a blog post today which highlights the policies of the Play Store on gambling. Paytm is not mentioned in the blog post, but it does point to the gambling policies of the App Store.
Google wrote in its blog post, “We do not allow online casinos. We do not support irregular apps that facilitate betting in any sport. It also includes whether an app takes users to an external website. Which allows them to participate in the tournament to win real money or cash prizes, doing so is a violation of our policies.”
Google said that it notifies the developer of the policy violation and removes the app during the action. As soon as it follows the policy guidelines, the app will be reinstalled on the Play Store. Paytm is still available on the Apple App Store and anyone who has an app download on their phone can still use it. There is no problem with the services of the app mentioned so far. In addition, the Paytm for Business app is still available on the Play Store.
Paytm is one of the largest fintech apps not only in India but globally. According to the latest data from Sensor Tower, Paytm was the sixth most downloaded fintech app in August. During this time, the app was downloaded by 67 lakh people.
After removing the Paytm app from the Google Play Store, the company tweeted that the Paytm Android app is temporarily unavailable on Google’s Play Store for new downloads or updates. It will be back very soon. All your money is completely safe, and you can continue your Paytm app as usual.
5 crore monthly active users
Paytm is the most valuable start-up in India and claims to have 5 crore monthly active users.
Learn what Google said
After removing the app, Google said that online casinos and sports betting apps are not allowed in India on the Play Store. In this regard, Paytm was continuously violating the rules of the Play Store. “We do not allow online casinos or endorse any irregular gambling app that facilitates sports betting,” Google said in a blog post. Let us tell you that such apps are launched in large numbers before major sporting events like IPL in India. The latest season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is scheduled to begin in the UAE from 19 September.
The blog post states that these policies are to protect users from potential harm. However, Google has not clarified whether an app has been removed on this basis. Google also said that when an app violates these policies, its developer is notified of it, and is removed from the Google Play Store until the developer makes the app compliant with the rules.
This blog, posted by Suzanne Frey, the product vice president of Android security and privacy, states that in cases where policies are repeatedly violated, Google may take more serious action, including terminating the developer’s accounts. She said that these policies are equally applicable to all developers.
