Paytm vs Google? 'Paytm Cricket League' Brought Back Weeks After Play Store De-Listed App Over Cashback Offer

Looks like a faceoff between Paytm and Google is on cards as the digital payment app has brought back its IPL cricket league offer that had caused its de-listing on Play Store with the search giant alleging that it promoted gambling.

Representational Image (Getty)

New Delhi: Popular digital payment app Paytm has brought back its 'Paytm Cricket League' weeks after the app was delisted from Google Play over the same cashback offer as it was categorised as a feature that promotes gambling.  Google's updated policy led to Paytm's removal from its play store as the search giant now bans apps that fall under the categories of stalkerware, misrepresentation and gambling. Paytm's main app was brought back after a few hours with the offer being suspended. However, the company has announced its comeback with a tweet.

We are delighted to announce the return of Paytm Cricket League on your Paytm App. With UPI Cashback!

Let's play! ????https://t.co/NDMJq7J8uh — Paytm (@Paytm) September 28, 2020

Addressing the issue with Google, the company's official blog read, "Our users can be assured that Paytm has never been involved in anything that can be considered betting or gambling. We believe that such arbitrary actions and accusatory labelling go against the laws of our country and acceptable norms of fair competition by arbitrarily depriving our users of innovative services". Earlier, Paytm had directly attacked Google by alleging the search giant's own digital wallet 'Google Pay' offers similar campaigns. "Presumably, such cashback campaigns of Google Pay are not in breach of Play Store policies, or maybe they are, but a different set of rules apply to Google’s own apps," the official statement alleged.

Thanks everyone for your support! Paytm App is back, live in Play Store. ????????

We launched a UPI CashBack campaign this morning. Our app got suspended by Google for this. India, you decide if giving cash back is gambling. ???????? pic.twitter.com/w5Rcrs6lLT — Vijay Shekhar Sharma (@vijayshekhar) September 18, 2020

In the same blog, Paytm had also stated that the company was not given enough time to take any action or respond to the concerns before its app was delisted. "Google’s recent action on de-listing Paytm app because of a cashback campaign is unjustified. We reiterate that our cashback campaign was within guidelines, and there was no violation... Google and its employees are making policies which are over and above the laws of our country, and are arbitrarily implementing them," it had stated. Google is yet to respond to the allegations of Paytm, whether the new IPL campaign on the app will again put it in trouble - remains to be seen.