Synopsis:
Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Indian Minister of Electronics and Information Technology, emphasizes that major technology companies cannot unilaterally decide to delist Indian apps. This statement underscores the Indian government's stance on tech regulation and its commitment to ensuring that decisions impacting Indian apps are made through transparent and regulatory processes.
The statement follows Google's action of removing certain apps, including popular matrimonial ones, from its Play Store in India due to a disagreement on service fee payments.
Expressing strong concern over Google's decision to remove several Indian apps from its Play Store, the government emphasized that such actions cannot be allowed. It further stated that a meeting has been scheduled for next week with the tech company and the affected startups.
Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Minister of Telecommunications, emphasized that the Indian economy heavily relies on the startup ecosystem, stressing that their future cannot be determined solely by big tech companies.
The minister's remarks hold significance as Google initiated the removal of certain apps, including popular matrimonial ones, from its Play Store in India due to a disagreement over service fee payments. This move elicited objections from apps and prominent startup founders.
"India's stance is clear, our policy is unequivocal...our startups will receive the necessary protection," stated the minister. He mentioned that the government will convene a meeting with Google and the delisted app developers next week to address the dispute.
"I have already reached out to Google...I have already reached out to the app developers who were delisted; we will meet them next week. Such actions cannot be condoned...This type of delisting is unacceptable," Vaishnaw asserted.
"I will inform Google...The entrepreneurial drive...startups, consider the entire Startup India initiative, a decade ago we had almost nothing, and now we boast over 100,000 startups, with over 100 unicorns...this showcases...the vigor of our youth, the dynamism of our entrepreneurs, and the talent of our people, which must be effectively channeled; it cannot be subject to the policies of any major tech company," expressed Vaishnaw.
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