App will be back on Play Store soon, your money is safe: Paytm

New Delhi: Alleviating the concerns of millions of users, the Vijay Shekhar Sharma-led Paytm has said that the money of all users is safe on the app.

On September 18, the Paytm app was removed from the Google Play Store. The reason reported for the removal of the app is that Google doesn’t allow ‘unregulated gambling apps that facilitate sports betting’.

Google Pay vs Paytm

As the Paytm app ban happened, users began to question this as a move from Google to enhance the user base for its own payments app – Google Pay.

Dear Paytm'ers,

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.

— Paytm (@Paytm) September 18, 2020

However, Google released a statement saying that it doesn’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.”

When an app violates these policies, we notify the developer of the violation and remove 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 added.

Paytm First Games left hanging

Paytm First Games – which recently onboarded Sachin Tendulkar as its brand ambassador – is the Indian digital payments’ leaders foray into the fantasy gaming segment.

Google’s ban is a huge blow to the app as the IPL begins tomorrow and Paytm First Games was hoping to cash in on the cricketing event. Paytm First Games had an elaborate plan to establish its stronghold in the fantasy gaming market. The app aims to get over 100 million users during the upcoming Indian Premier League and has planned over 200 live events on the platform over the next six months.