Google easing Play Store rules for games-based loyalty programs

Bengaluru: Google is simplifying its Play Store policies on gamification-oriented loyalty programs in a bid to provide more clarity to app developers.

This, after food delivery platforms Swiggy and Zomato had to pause their in-app gamification features in September as they were in violation of Play Store guidelines. Prior to this, Paytm’s flagship app was temporarily delisted from Google Play Store after the US-based technology behemoth said that the IPL-based cashback promotion flouted its anti-gambling policy.

This takedown, along with Google’s move to enforce 30% commission on in-app purchases of digital goods from Play Store, had raised major concerns of app store monopoly among Indian startup founders and tech executives. Google has since deferred the enforcement to April 2022.