ADIF has faith in the judicial process as they raise concerns about high fees charged by Google Play Store

New Delhi, March 21 (IANS) – The Alliance of Digital India Foundation (ADIF) has expressed concerns over the high commission imposed during in-app purchases on Google Play Store. The ADIF, representing thousands of homegrown startups, believes these charges are not conducive to the interests of digital entrepreneurs in India.

Prateek Jain, Associate Director of ADIF, stated that the app store rates, ranging from 15 to 30 percent, are excessively high. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) recently dismissed interim relief applications from startups requesting a restriction on Google from imposing fees on developers as part of its updated payments policy.

Jain emphasized the need to reconsider the rates and establish a mutually beneficial model to support the growth and sustainability of India’s digital economy. He expressed trust in the judicial process and hopes that the best interests of the Indian app development community will be prioritized.

The CCI concluded that the informants seeking relief did not meet the necessary criteria as per the Supreme Court’s guidelines. The regulator stated that there was a lack of prima facie evidence warranting a positive direction sought by the informants at the interim stage.

Recently, the CCI initiated a probe into the Google Play Store, alleging that the tech giant is exploiting its dominant position in India’s online market. The regulator accused Google of imposing unfair terms and discriminatory practices in its Play Store, potentially violating the country’s anti-trust laws.

The ADIF’s concerns highlight the ongoing debate surrounding commission rates in app stores and the need for a fair and transparent marketplace for digital entrepreneurs in India. The outcome of the CCI’s probe and subsequent hearings will likely have significant implications for the app development community and the digital economy as a whole.