IT Minister: Google Agrees to Restore Deleted Indian Apps

FILE PHOTO: A logo of Google is seen on its office building in Hyderabad, India, January 29, 2024. REUTERS/Francis Mascarenhas/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A logo of Google is seen on its office building in Hyderabad, India, January 29, 2024. REUTERS/Francis Mascarenhas/File Photo
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IT Minister: Google Agrees to Restore Deleted Indian Apps

FILE PHOTO: A logo of Google is seen on its office building in Hyderabad, India, January 29, 2024. REUTERS/Francis Mascarenhas/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A logo of Google is seen on its office building in Hyderabad, India, January 29, 2024. REUTERS/Francis Mascarenhas/File Photo

Alphabet's Google has agreed to restore dozens of Indian apps it deleted from its app store after a dispute over service fee payments, India's Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Tuesday.

Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Google on Friday removed from its Play Store many Indian apps, including Matrimony.com's popular Bharat Matrimony and job search app Naukri, saying the companies were not abiding by its in-app payment guidelines.

The removal has sparked criticism from many startups who have for years protested and legally challenged many of the US giant's practices, including its in-app fee. Google says the fees help develop and promote the Android and Play Store ecosystem.



SAMA, Google Sign Agreement to Launch Google Pay in Saudi Arabia

SAMA, Google Sign Agreement to Launch Google Pay in Saudi Arabia
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SAMA, Google Sign Agreement to Launch Google Pay in Saudi Arabia

SAMA, Google Sign Agreement to Launch Google Pay in Saudi Arabia

The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) and Google have signed an agreement to introduce Google Pay in Saudi Arabia during 2025 through the national payment system mada, according to a press release from SAMA.
This agreement aligns with SAMA’s ongoing efforts to enhance the Kingdom’s digital payments ecosystem as part of Saudi Vision 2030.

According to SPA, it underscores SAMA’s commitment to developing a robust digital payments infrastructure, facilitating the transition to a less cash-dependent society by offering advanced digital payment solutions that meet international standards.
Google Pay will provide users with an advanced and secure method for making purchases in stores, apps, and on the web. Users will also be able to conveniently add and manage their cards within Google Wallet.
This initiative is part of a broader series of solutions aimed at meeting market demands and strengthening Saudi Arabia’s position as a global leader in FinTech.