Paytm has revealed its side of the story after the app was taken down from the Google Play Store briefly on Friday (18 September).
The app accused Google and its employees of making policies which are 'over and above the laws of our country'.
On 11 September, Paytm rolled out an 'UPI cashback campaign' on its app called ‘Paytm Cricket League’. To promote this, a campaign was launched where users could collect cricket stickers and scratch cards to earn UPI cashback. This offer was applicable on recharges, utility payments, UPI money transfers and adding money to Paytm wallet.
On 18 September, Google took down the Paytm app and shared a mail with the following matter:
“Your app contains content that doesn’t comply with the Gambling policy as it offers games with “loyalty” (e.g. engagement or activity) points that (1) are accrued or accelerated via real-money purchases which (2) can be exchanged for items or prizes of real-world monetary value.”
Paytm was reinstated on the Play Store after it removed its UPI cashback offer and scratch cards to get re-listed.
Paytm claims that this was the first time Google wrote to them regarding their UPI cashback and scratch cards campaign and were not given any opportunity to respond to their concerns or put forth our views.
It claimed that the cashback campaign was within the rule and didn't break any rules.
The blog post issued by Paytm went on to add that there were similar cashback offers being offered by Google Pay and accused Google for having a different set of rules for its own apps.
The statement further added that Google had written to Paytm on three separate occasions previously with some concerns on a separate matter of Paytm First Games’ promotion through the Paytm app. Even though the company disagreed with the allegations, they complied with the requested changes and made it.
It also accused Google of allowing Paytm First Games to do a paid promotion on YouTube (which is owned by Google), but it is not allowed to do the same advertisement on the Paytm app.
