Google has removed the popular payments app Paytm from the Play Store for violating Play Store guidelines. Paytm was promoting its own fantasy sports app Paytm First Games that is the violation of Play Store gambling policies.
Paytm has confirmed that the app will be back soon and users shouldn’t worry about their money.
Google doesn’t allow casinos and other unregulated gambling apps on the Play Store. It also prohibits other Android apps form linking or promoting any such app. Google has removed both Paytm and Paytm First Games from the Play Store.
Reports also claim that Google’s team that works with developers reached out to Paytm repeatedly to fix the issues but Paytm ignored these alerts and made repeated violations. It forced Google to remove the app from the Play Store.
Google has also asked several companies in India to stop promoting websites that offer installation of sports betting apps.
It is worth noting that sports betting is banned in India but fantasy sports platforms are not illegal. That’s why several Mobile Premier League
Google’s Suzanne Frey, Vice President, Product, Android Security and Privacy also published a blog post today detailing the matter. She confirmed that these policies are to protect users from potential harm. If an violates these policies, the developer will be notifies and the app will be removed from the Play Store.
“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,” she said in the blog post.
Paytm app will be back once it fixes the issues flagged by Google. If you are a Paytm user, you can keep using Paytm on the web and iOS platform. Android app should be back by next week.
