The true story behind the Paytm-Google spat

The Morning Context

Internet

Paytm’s claims about why Google kicked its app off the Play Store are misleading at best. Here’s what really happened.

Ashish K. Mishra

Mumbai

22 September 2020

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On Friday, 18 September, Google took down Paytm from the Play Store for a few hours.

Not to put too fine a point on it, but Google deciding to take down an app which has over 39 million daily active users is sort of a big deal. The same morning, without specifically referring to any errant company, Google put out a blog saying, “We don’t allow online casinos or support any unregulated gambling apps that facilitate sports betting. This includes if an app leads consumers to an external website that allows them to participate in paid tournaments to win real money or cash prizes, it is a violation of our policies.”

Needless

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