Indian start-ups lead pushback against Google

Concerns about behemoth's dominance of digital ecosystem, reliance on its app store

Paytm, a popular Indian digital wallet, launched an Android mini app store last week. Opposition to Google among Indian tech firms gained momentum after Paytm found out last month that its app had been blocked out of Google’s Play Store for violating its policy on sports betting activities. PHOTO: REUTERS
New: Gift this subscriber-only story to your friends and family

A group of aggrieved Indian start-ups are pooling their resources to take on what they consider to be Google's dominance of the country's digital ecosystem.

Leading the charge is Paytm, a popular Indian digital wallet, that launched an Android mini app store last week.

Already a subscriber? 

Read the full story and more at $9.90/month

Get exclusive reports and insights with more than 500 subscriber-only articles every month

Unlock these benefits

  • All subscriber-only content on ST app and straitstimes.com

  • Easy access any time via ST app on 1 mobile device

  • E-paper with 2-week archive so you won't miss out on content that matters to you

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on October 13, 2020, with the headline Indian start-ups lead pushback against Google. Subscribe