Sanjeev Bhikchandani Calls For 'Indian App Store'

The recent actions by Google against ten companies in India, emphasising the need for India to establish its own mobile app store as part of its 'Digital Public Infrastructure.' Sanjeev Bikhchandani, founder of Info Edge, addressed concerns by highlighting the importance of strategic responses, urging authorities like Piyush Goyal to consider this initiative akin to existing systems like UPI and ONDC.

Bhikchandani writes a Tweet directed at authorities like Piyush Goyal, Bikhchandani emphasised the necessity of an indigenous app store as part of India's 'Digital Public Infrastructure,' like to UPI and ONDC.

On 1st March, Google issued warnings of potential app removals for ten companies in India due to non-payment of service fees for utilising its Play Store platform. Bikhchandani disclosed in media reports that Info Edge's Naukri and 99acres apps had indeed been removed from the Google Play Store in the latest development.

This move aligns with Google's efforts to enforce compliance with its app billing policies among Indian developers, targeting those deemed non-compliant over an extended period. Despite this action, Info Edge's matrimony service, JeevanSathi, remained accessible on the Play Store at the time of reporting.

Bikhchandani's advocacy for an indigenous app store underscores broader discussions regarding India's digital sovereignty and the evolution of its technological ecosystem.