Google on Friday restored the Paytm app on its Play store after removing it for a few hours for violating its policy on sports betting activities.
The app was back on the Google Play Store on Friday evening after the Softbank-backed Paytm removed the “cashback” feature from a recently-launched game on the application.
“Update: And we’re back!” Paytm said in a tweet. On Friday morning, Google removed the Paytm app — which facilitates use of wallet and payments bank services —from the Play Store.
“The app was blocked for violation of Play policies — a clarification of our policy was released earlier today ahead of the IPL tournament,” Google said in a response, adding that only the app availability on Play store was impacted.
Google, in a blog post earlier on Friday, had said it does not allow apps facilitating sports betting and will remove such apps from the Play store.
These policies are in place to protect users from potential harm, it added.
“We don’t allow online casinos or support any unregulated gambling apps that facilitate sports betting. This includes if an app leads consumers to an external website that allows them to participate in paid tournaments to win real money or cash prizes, it is a violation of our policies,” the blog post said.
