Google Restores Indian Apps Removed from Play Store After Government Intervention

Vaishnaw emphasized India's commitment to protecting its startups, stating, "India is very clear, our policy is very clear... our startups will get the protection that they need." The minister also announced a meeting with Google scheduled for Monday to address the issue.

Earlier, Google had informed the stock exchanges that it had delisted five apps from Info Edge, including Naukri.com, Naukri Recruiter, Naukrigulf, 99acres, and Shiksha, for non-compliance with the payments policy. Additionally, searches on the Play Store revealed the removal of apps like Shaadi, Matrimony.com, Bharat Matrimony, Altt Balaji, and Kuku FM.

The move by Google sparked criticism from app developers and government officials alike. Bharat Matrimony founder Murugavel Janakiraman described it as a "dark day" for the Indian internet, while Kuku FM Co-founder Vinod Kumar Meena accused Google of behaving like a monopoly.

Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar raised concerns over Google's dominance in the Indian app ecosystem, noting that the company controls over 90% of the market. He emphasized the need to prevent the misuse of Google's dominance against startups and ensure fair competition in the industry.

As the government and courts continue to examine the situation, the incident raises questions about the balance between market dominance and the protection of smaller players in India's tech landscape.