120 Startups To Form Association To Take On Google

The heads of more than 120 startups are planning to form an indigenous app developers’ association within a month to lobby against global technology giants such as Google, Facebook, Twitter, and Apple, said three startup founders. The move comes against the backdrop of discontent among Indian startups against Google. The association, which will be a non-profit, will be independent of existing bodies, such as the Confederation of Indian Industry and the Internet and Mobile Association of India, said Murugavel Janakiraman, founder of Matrimony.com. Interestingly, IAMAI, which represents India’s digital and mobile ecosystem, and has Google India as a member, also held a closed-door meeting on Saturday, to hear the concerns of Indian startups against the Google’s growing monopoly. Google India also continued to maintain its silence on the matter. Google had recently reiterated its Play Billing policy, which makes it mandatory for Indian developers using Play to pay 30% commission for the same. Founders are still not happy and urging the Centre to regulate Google and other big tech firms, while doing away with commissions and arbitrary policies of the Play Store.