Shark Tank Judge Anupam Mittal Criticizes Google’s Actions
Anupam Mittal, the founder and CEO of People Group and Shaadi.com, and a judge on Shark Tank, has criticized Google for delisting Indian apps¹. He has called for government intervention to ensure compliance with the Competition Commission of India (CCI) order to restore the apps¹.
Google’s Lagaan
Mittal has compared Google’s actions to the imposition of a ‘Lagaan’ (tax) in the form of service fees¹. He has warned of the threat to Indian startups and highlighted the impact on the digital sector¹. He has urged compliance with the CCI order to restore the apps¹.
Impact on Indian Apps
The delisted apps include Bharat Matrimony, Telugu Matrimony, Tamil Matrimony, Marathi Matrimony as well as Matrimony.com’s Jodii and People Group’s Shaadi.com as well as dating apps Truly Madly and QuackQuack¹. Vernacular video-streaming platform Stage, Balaji Telefilms’ Altt and audio streaming and podcast app Kuku FM have also been removed from the Play Store¹.
Call for Government Intervention
Mittal has called for an immediate halt to what he termed as Google’s imposition of a ‘Lagaan’ (tax) in the form of service fees³. He has called for strong government action, including penal provisions and contempt of court, to prevent them from becoming the gatekeepers of the economy⁴.
Legal Actions Against Google
Mittal is exploring legal action against Google². The ban has already had an impact on the company’s downloads and overall image². He revealed that the impact on Shaadi.com will be significant, affecting its reputation, downloads, network effects, and monetization².
In conclusion, Anupam Mittal’s call for government intervention highlights the growing dissatisfaction among Indian tech entrepreneurs and startups regarding Google’s actions. It remains to be seen how this situation will unfold and what actions the government will take in response to these concerns.
