Paytm is back on the Play Store hours after the app was taken down for violating policies on gambling. Earlier today, Google removed the Paytm app from the Play Store while other apps like Paytm for Business, Paytm mall, Paytm Money, and a few more were still available on the platform.
Update: And we’re back! 🥳
— Paytm (@Paytm) September 18, 2020
What did Paytm comment?
Commenting on the matter Paytm issued an official statement and said Google suspended the app as it violated Play Store policies on gambling. “We continue to work with Google to restore the app. We assure all our users that their balances and linked accounts are 100 per cent safe. Our services are fully functional on all existing apps and you can continue enjoying Paytm like before,” the company said.
Paytm jisko india ke andar kafi zyada log use karte hai us paytm app ko aaj Google ne google play store se hata diya. Akhir aisa hua kya tha jo paytm ko hata. Earlier on Friday, Google took down one of the most popular fintech applications in India, Paytm, from its Play Store. The app was put back by late in the evening, after Paytm ‘temporarily’ removed. It is very surprising to know that the Google Playstore has removed Paytm all of sudden. If you search on PlayStore for Paytm app or One97 Communication Ltd (owner of Paytm), then you won’t find it (as on 18th September 2020). Other apps of Paytm like Paytm Money, Paytm for Business, Paytm Mall and other owned by this company are still available. The app, however, is still available on iOS, the play store run by Apple. The app could have been removed because of Paytm First Games, sources said. Paytm, in a statement shared on Twitter, said.
Explained: Paytm goes from Play Store, how are you affected?
When App Is Removed From Play Store
What is Google’s Play Store policy on gambling?
Is Paytm Removed From Playstore Phone
Google prohibits online casinos and other unregulated gambling apps on its play store. Even fantasy sports platforms like Dream 11 are kept out. The tech giant also reveals that an app that leads consumers to an external site that allows them to participate in paid tournaments to real money clearly violates Play Store policies.
In a blog post posted earlier on Friday, Google’s Suzanne Frey, Vice President, Product, Android Security and Privacy explains, “We don’t allow online casinos or support any unregulated gambling apps that facilitate sports betting. This includes if an app leads consumers to an external website that allows them to participate in paid tournaments to win real money or cash prizes, it is a violation of our policies.”
Frey notes, “We have these policies to protect users from potential harm. When an app violates these policies, we notify the developer of the violation and remove the app from Google Play until the developer brings the app into compliance.”
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“In the case where there are repeated policy violations, we may take more serious action which may include terminating Google Play Developer accounts. Our policies are applied and enforced on all developers consistently,” Frey further states.
Commenting on the matter, Akash Karmakar of Panag and Babu Law Offices, who represents various tech and app companies said, “While PayTM did not directly engage in, or promote sports betting or gambling, it did have links to third-party sites which did. The ease of using PayTM on these third-party apps may have been viewed by Google as the element which makes PayTM as supporting these sites. Google appears to have taken an ethical stand against apps that promote or even advertise unregulated gambling apps that facilitate sports betting. Since many other apps are also promoting betting and gambling websites through ads and pop-ups, if Google applies the same standard, I would expect more apps will get taken off the Play Store.”