Mobikwik, an online payments solution app has been removed from Google Play Store because of violation of advertisement guidelines. Bipin Singh Rawat, CEO of Mobikwik tweeted about the development and stated the reason as an ad linking to the Aarogya Setu app.
The company clarified that the ad was played because Reserve Bank of India asked them to do so and it is in public health interest. The app has not been affected for people who had it already installed and is still available on Apple store.
Bipin told in a statement that Google sent a warning to the company regarding their promotion of Aarogya Setu application and calling it deceptive. Post this, Mobikwik contacted Google and were told that it was a mistake.
Bipin said in a statement, “Google clarified that there is no harm in promoting Aarogya Setu app on Mobikwik, however, they removed our app today from the Play Store without any intimation.” His tweet said “You have too much power!” addressing Google after the app was removed.
According to Google, the payments app violated a couple of its developer program policies like it does not allow ads that are deceptive in nature and aren’t properly labelled. Aarogya Setu has been promoted aggressively by the government and other private firms for monitoring covid-19 symptoms. The app has gained immense popularity within a few weeks of it downloading.