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Google briefly pulls Paytm app from Play Store

Google briefly pulled India's hugely popular payments app Paytm from its Play Store on Friday over gambling policy violations.

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Google briefly pulls Paytm app from Play Store

Editorial

This content has been selected, created and edited by the Finextra editorial team based upon its relevance and interest to our community.

The Paytm app, which competes with Google Pay in India, was removed from the Play Store in India early on Friday before reappearing in the early evening.

Without naming Paytm, Google posted a blog outlining its gambling rules in India, stating that "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".

Paytm's app was removed because of a cricket promotion that let customers claim cashback. It took down the promotion and its app was restored to the Play Store.

A Paytm spokesperson tells the Financial Times: "Google sent us an email this morning and unilaterally without negotiation took us off the app store. It’s an absolute arm twister with no respite."

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Comments: (1)

Hitesh Thakkar

Hitesh Thakkar Technology Evangelist (Financial Technology) at SME - Fintech startups (APAC and Africa)

It was irritation to get those stickers with each time using PayTM and getting those players stickers as PayTM is official sponsor of IPL 2020 currently being played.

I switched to other option of payment before this episode happened. Giving rewards are welcome but at the end customer need to have choice to pick and choose. My DTH operator gives such option.

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