Google Effaces Paytm from Play Store Citing Policy Violation

One97 Communications' Payment app Paytm is been missing from Google Play Store. While, the company's other apps such as Paytm Mall, Paytm for Business, and its wealth management app Paytm Money are available on the Play Store. However, the payment app is available for download on the Apple App Store.

It is been speculated that the violation of Google's gambling policies could be the reason behind the sudden disappearing of Paytm on Play Store. On being disappeared from Play Store, Paytm on Twitter handle states, "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."

A source from Google has stated that despite the Google team repeatedly insisting Paytm to fix the issues with the app, Paytm continued to violate Google's new guidelines on online gambling.

On the issue, Suzanne Frey, Vice President, Product, Android Security, and Privacy, Google wrote in a blog post. “We have these policies 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,”

She adds, "We have the same goals for our gambling policy. 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."