Google backs down on app store cut in India

This appeared in The Millennial Source

Despite couching its new policies as a “clarification,” some observers have been less than impressed.

Facing a coalition of Indian startups and tech firms, Google LLC has announced that it is delaying the roll out of new Play Store in-app purchase policies until at least 2022.

The move comes as the American multinational tech giant has faced resistance from a large group of Indian startups and tech firms who have criticized the company for engaging in what they view as “monopolistic” practices. The Indian tech firm coalition has also explored the possibility of creating its own “app store,” one that could rival Google’s dominant Play Store.

Google’s backing down comes as American multinational tech giants are facing “monopoly” concerns and antitrust scrutiny around the world.

But Google’s approach is the opposite of that taken by rival American big tech firm Apple Inc., which has so far resisted all pressure to part with its controversial 30% App Store commission on in-app purchases.

Apple, unlike Google, has so far resisted escalating pressure from developers and App Store partners alike. With “monopoly” concerns and critiques of prevailing app store models rising around the world, however, it is…