Google removes Matrimony apps from Play Store in India over fee disputes

PTC News Desk: Google started removing the apps of ten Indian companies, including several prominent matrimonial apps like Bharat Matrimony, in a dispute over service fee payments.

The dispute revolves around efforts by some Indian firms to prevent Google from imposing an 11% to 26% tax on in-app payments, following an order from the country's antitrust authorities to dismantle a former system charging 15% to 30%.

However, Google effectively got approval to collect the fee or remove apps following two rulings from courts in January and February, one by the Supreme Court, which refused to provide any relief to startups.

Matrimony.com dating apps Bharat Matrimony, Christian Matrimony, Muslim Matrimony, and Jodii were removed on Friday, according to firm founder Murugavel Janakiraman, who described the decision as a "dark day of Indian Internet". 

"Our apps are getting deleted one by one," he said. 

Alphabet Inc's unit has sent Play Store violation notices to Indian companies Matrimony.com, which operates the app BharatMatrimony, and Info Edge, which runs a similar app, Jeevansathi.

Both companies' executives told Reuters that they are examining the notice and would determine their future measures. 

Matrimony.com shares plummeted as much as 2.7% after the Reuters report, before recovering, while Info Edge dipped 1.5%.

Sanjeev Bikhchandani, the founder of Info Edge, stated that the company had paid all due Google invoices on time and was in compliance with its regulations. 

In a blog post, Google stated that ten Indian companies had decided to forego paying for the "immense value they receive on Google Play" for a prolonged period. It did not identify the companies.

"For years, no court or regulator has denied Google Play's right to charge," the company stated, adding that on February 9, the Supreme Court "refused to interfere" with its ability to do so.

Google's app removal might upset India's startup sector, which has long opposed many of the US company's practices.

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