The Paytm app has been removed from the Google Play Store for violating policies related to unregulated gambling apps. According to CNBC - TV18, Google had notified the developers by releasing a statement on September 18th regarding this issue. Google said that, “we don’t allow online unregulated gambling apps that facilitate sports betting.” Google also mentioned that the app leads to consumers to an external website that’s allows them to participate in the paid tournaments to win real money/cash prizes.
That being said this might not affect people that have already installed the app on the phones, but will affect the company as google will not be allowing any more new downloads. The app is to stay out of the platform until the developers bring the app into compliance. However if they are any more repeated policy violations, google has decide to take even more serious action which may include terminating google play developer accounts.
The online betting scam
The Google Play store also has seen a rapid increase in download numbers. From 2010 to 2016 the numbers have gone up from 1 billion downloads a month to 65 billion downloads a month. The app downloads are also affected greatly by the low prices Avg: 0.06$/app of the android apps when compared to the iOS apps. The University of Utah on Instagram: “Since Arts Bash can't.
The Enforcement Directorate has discovered an online betting scam that involved Chinese nationals that have used online wallets such as Paytm, Cashfree and Razorpay. It has also frozen Rs 46.96 crore in four bank accounts after raiding 15 locations across Delhi, Gurgoan, Mumbai and Pune after companies were found to be running some illegal online betting apps linked to China. During the course of the search ED in 2019, the accounts of Dokypay Technology Pvt Ltd were mostly found in the HSBC bank.
These accounts have seen a collection of Rs 1,268 crore out of which Rs 300 crore came via Paytm payment gateway and around Rs 600 crore was transferred out via Paytm payment gateway. It has also been found that the locals were hired in order to open these bank accounts with the HSBC bank and then open trade these accounts with online wallets namely Paytm, Cashfree, Razorpay, etc.
Further a network of agents were hired to attract new customers /members, referral codes were then sent privately to invite the new members. These online wallets had lax due to diligent mechanisms and their non-reporting of suspicious transaction to the regulatory authorities helped the accused companies to launch pan India activities. And Paytm app being taken out of the google play store was the result of this situation.
The affect on Paytm First Games
Paytm App Removed From Play Store
This also comes as a huge blow for Paytm as it was also planning to launch Paytm First Games on the 19th September. Paytm First Games is an Indian Digital payments leader’s platform into the fantasy game segment and had also made Sachin Tendulkar as its brand ambassador. The app had aimed to get over 100 million users during the upcoming Indian Premier League and had planned over 200 live events on the platform over the time range of six months.
Paytm Response To This
When asked about this decision, the CEO of Paytm Vijay Shekhar said that companies like Facebook and Google have the responsibility to hep the growth of Indian Startups and the ecosystem. He also added that he thought Google was acting like the judge, jury and executioner because it has the power to remove apps from the App store.
Paytm had earlier put out their official statement, in which they stated that they observed google has been using its policies, rules and regulations selectively allowing a few large companies like Paytm First Games to distribute and list their respective Real money gaming apps on play store, without any action, hindrance by google play store and supporting this unfair trade and practices.
The statement also included that FIFS took this matter up and reached out to google to protest against this unfair trade practice. Paytm also has insisted that is a level playing field is not re-establishes , we may be forced to seek any other advice including legal action. Promotion of MPL in times portfolio companies including Cricket Buzz, Gana, MX player has also been stopped. And ended it by saying that they were confident and will be able to convince them to allow all our member apps on the Play Store.
Paytm App Removed From Play Store Free
The Current Situation
Later on in the day, Paytm has successfully managed come back on Google play store as CEO of Paytm Vijay Shekhar, Tweeted saying that 'Thanks everyone for your support! Paytm App is back, live in Play Store. We launched a UPI CashBack campaign this morning. Our app got suspended by Google for this. India, you decide if giving cash back is gambling.
Paytm and Paytm First Games apps have been pulled for violating Google’s gambling policies.
Paytm App Removed From Play Store Without
Digital payments and mobile wallet platform Paytm has been pulled from the Google Play Store for violating Google’s gambling policies. In an update on Friday, Google said that it doesn’t allow online casinos or support any unregulated gambling apps that facilitate sports betting. This comes after Paytm's gaming arm Paytm First Games (PFG) was gearing up for fantasy cricket ahead of the Indian Premier League.
Paytm App Removed From Play Store Online
Paytm recently launched the ‘Paytm Cricket League’ on the main app where users could get player stickers after each transaction, collect them and receive Paytm Cashback.
According to Google, even 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 its policies.
Soon after the app was taken down, Paytm tweeted saying the Android app is temporarily unavailable on Google's Play Store for new downloads or updates. 'It will be back very soon. All your money is completely safe, and you can continue to enjoy your Paytm app as normal,' it said.
Paytm said in a statement that it received communication from Google on Friday afternoon that it is suspending Paytm app because it believes this to be a violation of their Play Store policies on gambling. The Paytm Android app has thus been unlisted from Google’s Play Store and is temporarily unavailable to users for new downloads or updates.
“While it is clear that all activities on Paytm are completely lawful, we have temporarily removed the cashback component in an effort to meet the Play Store policy requirements,” Paytm said in a statement.
“We continue to work with Google to restore the app. We assure all our users that their balances and linked accounts are 100% safe. Our services are fully functional on all existing apps and you can continue enjoying Paytm like before,” it added.
This comes a day ahead of the Indian Premier League, a period which is set to see the fantasy gaming market surge with cricket fans betting on their favourite players, creating fantasy teams as offered by several gaming apps in the country.
Ahead of the IPL, Paytm’s gaming arm Paytm First Games has announced Sachin Tendulkar as the brand ambassador of the platform and also said that it set aside Rs 300 crore to spend on marketing and promotions. In April, Paytm First Games had announced that it had had 5 million downloads during the lockdown. At the time, it said it had half a million daily active users.
In the fintech space, Paytm was reportedly the sixth-most downloaded app in August, with 6.7 million people downloading the app. It reportedly has over 450 million users overall.
Paytm First Games reportedly has over 50 games, with fantasy sports being most popular. As per reports, it has over 80 million users with the majority of them from smaller cities and towns.
Google said that its policy is in place to protect users from potential harm.
“When an app violates these policies, we notify the developer of the violation and remove the app from Google Play until the developer brings the app into compliance. And in the case where there are repeated policy violations, we may take more serious action which may include terminating Google Play Developer accounts. Our policies are applied and enforced on all developers consistently,” the Google statement further added.
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