Tech Giant Google Faces Backlash for Delisting Indian Apps from Play Store, Sparks Outrage Online

Google, the technology giant, has faced backlash for its decision to remove several Indian apps from its Play Store. The move has sparked criticism from the founders, executives of the affected companies, and users on social media. Among the apps delisted are popular ones like BharatMatrimony, Jeevansathi, 99 Acres, Naukri.

com, and Shaadi.com, leading to the trending hashtag #EvilGoogle. Anupam Mittal, the founder of Shaadi.

com, who is also a judge on Shark Tank, described Google's action as a "dark day" for the Indian internet. He expressed dismay that the delisting occurred despite ongoing legal proceedings at the Competition Commission of India (CCI) and the Supreme Court. Mittal accused Google of propagating false narratives and showing little regard for fairness.

He referred to the situation as the new Digital East India Co and called for action to protect startups from such behavior. Similarly, Sanjeev Bikchandani, the co-founder of Info Edge, protested against the removal of their company apps, emphasizing compliance with Google's policies. Bikchandani emphasized that all invoices with Google had been settled promptly, and he called for the CCI to address Google's anti-competitive actions.

The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), a non-profit industry body, also condemned Google's move and called for the reinstatement of the delisted apps. The association's governing council criticized the removal as unfair and disproportionate, particularly targeting prominent consumer digital companies like Bharatmatrimony, Info Edge, Shaadi.com, and TrulyMadly.

The overall response to Google's decision underscores the significance of the matter within the Indian tech community, with calls for fairness, transparency, and accountability from the tech giant.