Alphabet Incs Google has announced it will take action against 10 companies operating apps in India for failure to pay service fees for usage of the Google Play store platform. The enforcement could include having the apps removed from the store, according to a company blog post on Friday. Google declined to name the 10 companies facing potential de-listing. However, major corporations including Walt Disney and dating app giant Match Group, owner of Tinder, have previously filed lawsuits challenging Googles policy of imposing fees from 11-26% on in-app payments in the Indian market.The service fee policy was instituted after an antitrust directive ruled against Googles previous 15-30% fee structure, forcing the company to allow alternative third-party payments. App developers argue the new fees are merely a disguised version of the prohibited charges.For an extended period of time, 10 companies, including many well-established ones, have chosen to not pay for the immense value they receive on Google Play by securing interim protections from court, the Google blog post stated. The tech giant argues the fees are justified compensation for the platform and exposure its app store provides developers. However, some companies contend the mandatory payments constitute an illegal monopoly on Android app distribution in India. Legal battles remain ongoing as regulators continue scrutinizing Googles practices in the competitive Indian app ecosystem.
