Paytm accuses Google of app store-ads businesses 'dichotomy'

SoftBank backed startup Paytm on Wednesday criticised Google’s way of conducting business, pointing out what it says is the “dichotomy” between the search engine giant’s app store and ads policies.

“While Google does not allow us to promote our pro app on our own free app or Paytm app, we can promote it on Google and YouTube by paying hefty fees to Google,” Paytm First Games said in a blogpost on Wednesday.

Play Store will ban the Paytm app or the Paytm First Games app if the pro app is promoted, but it will freely allow YouTube to promote the free app for a fee, the blogpost added, citing an example.

The blog also announced that the initially banned Paytm First Games app was reinstated on Google's Play Store. This comes weeks after Paytm’s main app and fantasy gaming app Paytm First Games as well as Paytm was temporarily removed from Play Store, for failing to meet policy requirements.

The policy pertained to the legality of fantasy gaming, which include the concepts of wagering. “We wish to make it clear that as per Indian laws, fantasy sports are completely legal and allowed all over India, except in few states… The arbitrary and self-serving policies of Google, and their arbitrary interpretation of these policies is a dangerous, and extra-judicial, enforcement of monopolistic powers, against the interest of developers and users,” Paytm said.

Google did not immediately respond to TechCircle’s request for comment on the matter.

“Our policies don’t allow online casinos or support any unregulated gambling apps that facilitate sports betting, including daily fantasy sports in India. We enforce our policies very thoughtfully to provide a safe and secure experience for consumers, while also giving developers the platform and tools they need to build sustainable businesses,” Google had said, late September.