A day after Minister of IT, Telecom and Rail Ashwini Vaishnaw and MoS MeitY Rajeev Chandrasekhar met with Google and Start-ups, there appears to be a temporary truce in the tussle between Google and Indian Start-Up players. Google has issued a statement saying, "In the spirit of cooperation we are temporarily reinstating the apps".
Importantly, Google added a caveat that this temporary reinstatement was limited to companies that had moved the Supreme Court. Various start-up companies like Bharat Matrimony, Shaadi, Kuku FM, Quack Quack and Truly Madly had challenged the Madras HC judgment that dismissed their plea against the Google Play Store payment policy.
Google also stated that it maintains its right to implement and enforce its business model and payment policy. Google clarifies in its statement that, for the interim period, it will invoice all applicable services to the apps in question. Google stated that for the companies in question, it will extend that payment timeline.
Google also expressed hope for a "collaborative effort" in exploring solutions that "respect the needs" of all stakeholders.
Google’s response came hours after Ashwini Vaishnaw issued a similar statement. He said, "We have spoken to both Google as well as the startup community. Google has agreed to re-list the apps with same status as on Friday, March, 1, 2024. Google and India's startup community will engage with each other to find a long-term solution to all issues in consonance with India's legal framework. We acknowledge Google's contribution in realising Hon'ble PM's Digital India vision and are confident that Google and startup community of India will continue to work together."
Google had acted to delist apps from the playstore on March 1. In a blog post, Google had cited non-compliance with its payment policy as grounds for delisting the apps. The delisting had invited comments from the Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), and Telecom, Ashwini Vaishnaw and MoS MEITY Rajeev Chandrasekhar. Both the leaders had expressed concern and the need for protecting Indian start-ups.
