September 18 – Update: Google on Friday restored the listing of Paytm on its application store, a few hours after it had pulled down the popular financial services platform for violating its policies related to gambling. Source: The Hindu
Popular payment wallet, PayTM has been removed from Google Play Store for policy violations. The company confirmed this news on their Twitter today and assured users that their money is safe. PayTM is still available on iOS platforms.
Google took down the digital payment app Paytm from Playstore. In their tweet Paytm says that the Android app is unavailable temporarily on Google Playstore for new downloads and updates. They clarified that they will be back soon.
A Google Blog posted today Suzanne Frey, Vice President, Product, Android Security and Privacy says:
“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.”
A report by TechCrunch reveals that the app was removed due to repeat policy violations. It appears that Paytm promotes fantasy sports service and allows actual money betting via its mainstream and standalone app Paytm First Games, that was also taken down from the Play Store today.
The report also adds that Google has asked some companies in India to press pause to all the advertising campaigns that lead users to websites that “offer installation files of sports betting apps.”
Notably, Paytm is still available for iOS users on the App Store.
Following this announcement, Twitterati has gone ballistic with thier reactions.
Looks like Paytm will have to work hard to win their customers back. It will be an interesting crisis management case study. Time will tell how this saga will unfold.
DiaryOfAnInsaneWriter
What do you think? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below.
Penned by:
Mayura Amarkant
With inputs from: Indian Express | Firstpost.in | Google India Blog
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DiaryOfAnInsaneWriter 
It’s a nice and very convenient app to transfer money easily didn’t knew about this gambling thing hope everything gets clear soon I use the app very frequently thanks for the information mayura
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