Google has restored Paytm services on its Playstore after the App was taken down for violation of Google’s gambling policies.
The top payment company updated its twitter to share the information, which read, “And, we’re back!”
The official statement of the company was, “We continue to work with Google to restore the app. We assure all our users that their balances and linked accounts are 100 per cent safe. Our services are fully functional on all existing apps and you can continue enjoying Paytm like before”, reported Indian Express.
Google has ethical policies against gambling and also prohibits fantasy matches that lead to external site and demand real cash and money. This was implicit in Paytm’s First Game Fantasy which enables players to stake real money and win real prizes as it leads to an external site for playing fantasy matches. The sport betting is illegal in India and also violates Google’s policies therefore this App was also taken down.
“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”, was written by Google’s Suzanne Frey, Vice President, Product, Android Security and Privacy in its earlier blog post.
The cash back policy of the Paytm was also viewed as gambling by Google and as of now it is not clear if the cashback component that had been temporarily removed by the company to meet the Play Store policy requirements has been reintroduced.
Paytm founder & CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma in a television interview had exclaimed that he is taken aback with the removal of his app and expressed displeasure on unilateral termination by Google. He said that all the apps in the ecosystem face the same trouble.
Financial Express reported Sharma’s statement as, “Google has unilaterally decided it many a times and taken the apps off without listening because they are the judge, jury, defendant and claimant”.