Google Removes Paytm From Play Store For Policy Violation On Sport Betting Activities

NEW DELHI: Popular digital transactions app Paytm has been removed from Google Play Store on Friday for violation of its policy on sport betting activities. Henceforth, the app will not be available on Play Store, however, there will be no impact on existing users.

"The app was blocked for violation of play policies - a clarification of our policy was released earlier today ahead of the IPL tournament," Google said in an e-mailed response on Friday.

In a tweet, Paytm said Paytm Android app is temporarily unavailable on Google's Play Store for new downloads or updates. "It will be back very soon. All your money is completely safe, and you can continue to enjoy your Paytm app as normal," it added.

In a blog on Friday, Google said it does not allow apps facilitating sports betting and will remove such apps from the Google Play Store.

"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," the blog post said.

Usually such apps come up before major sporting events like the IPL, which is scheduled to begin from September 19.

According to the blog post, these policies are in place to protect users from potential harm.Google said when an app violates these policies, it notifies the developer of the violation and removes the app from Google Play until the developer brings the app into compliance.

"And in the case where there are repeated policy violations, we may take more serious action which may include terminating Google Play Developer accounts. Our policies are applied and enforced on all developers consistently," the blog post by Android Security and Privacy Vice President Product Suzanne Frey said.