Despite the large number of internet users in India, the vast majority don’t have the ability to pay. Google’s Play Store charge could push several internet companies out of business.
Last week, Sanjeev Bikhchandani, founder of Info Edge and one of India’s most prominent entrepreneurs, said India needs its own app store as part of its digital public infrastructure if the country has to progress. Just like the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC). In a post on X—formerly Twitter—Bikhchandani exhorted commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal. His public message was in response to Google taking down multiple apps from its Play Store, including some operated by Info Edge.
Google has since been called several things of disrepute, including “the East India Company”. England’s East …
Ashish is the editor-in-chief of The Morning Context. One of the best-known business feature writers in India, he was selected for Germany’s Robert Bosch Stiftung Fellowship in 2012 and received the Mumbai Press Club RedInk certificate of recognition in 2015 for his story “Inside the Network 18 takeover”. Before joining The Morning Context, Ashish co-founded The Ken, where he was managing editor. His previous writing stints include Mint, Forbes India and The Economic Times.
Editor-in-chief
ashish@mailtmc.com
London
Harveen is a co-founder at The Morning Context, and leads our Internet coverage, overseeing a team of reporters writing on startups and tech. She has previously worked as a media, consumer and tech reporter at The Ken and Mint. At The Morning Context, she writes on startups, venture capital, consumer and media businesses—from e-commerce to healthtech to streaming.
Editor, Internet
harveen@mailtmc.com
Mumbai