UPDATE: The Paytm app is back on the Google Play Store. The official Paytm Twitter account sent out an update minutes ago confirming the information. We can also confirm the same as it is indeed available for download on our Android devices.
Paytm, one of India’s largest startups and a heavily used digital payments service, has been suspended by Google from the Google Play Store. According to a report by TechCrunch, Paytm’s consumer-facing app has been suspended from the Play Store after Google took cognisance of “repeated violations” by Paytm of Google’s Play Store app policies. Paytm is one of India’s largest companies by volume of users and transactions, and is also India’s highest valued startup. Reports indicate that Paytm’s suspension has come in light of the Paytm First sports betting service, which seemingly violated Google’s app policies on unregulated gambling and online casinos.
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. ???????? pic.twitter.com/w5Rcrs6lLT
— Vijay Shekhar Sharma (@vijayshekhar) September 18, 2020
News18 has reached out to Paytm for a response on the matter, but at the time of publishing, the company was yet to issue a statement about the suspension of its marquee app from Android’s Google Play Store. However, Paytm has issued a statement on Twitter, stating that the app will be back on the Google Play Store “very soon”.
Dear Paytm'ers,Paytm 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.
— Paytm (@Paytm) September 18, 2020
It is important to note that other Paytm apps, such as Paytm Money and Paytm Mall, still remain live on the Google Play Store. The Android maker has suspended only the flagship Paytm app, which is primarily used by most users for transferring money among peers, as well as using it as a digital wallet or making payments to vendors that use Paytm’s UPI interface for cashless transactions.
According to reports, Google has also issued warnings to multiple other apps, including popular streaming service Disney+ Hotstar, for displaying disclaimers before broadcasting advertisements related to online gambling. Ahead of the popular Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket season, Google is seemingly cracking down on online gambling apps looking to offer sports betting — something that is illegal in India.
It is important to note, though, that fantasy sports still remains legal in a number of Indian states, and it will be important for apps to underline the difference through key characteristics, in order to comply with the Google Play Store policies.
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