<p>Food delivery apps Zomato and Swiggy have received notices from Google for their in-app gamification features that allegedly violate the tech giant's Play Store guidelines.</p>.<p>The development comes just weeks after Paytm was blocked from the Play Store for a few hours for violating Google's policy on sports betting activities.</p>.<p>When contacted, Zomato confirmed receiving the notice and termed it as "unfair".</p>.<p><strong>Also read — <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/business/paytm-taken-down-from-google-play-store-889324.html" target="_blank">Paytm taken down from Google Play store</a></strong></p>.<p>"Yes, we have received a notice from Google. We believe that the notice is unfair, but we are a small company and have already realigned our business strategy to comply with Google's guidelines," a Zomato spokesperson said in an e-mailed response.</p>.<p>The spokesperson added that the company will be replacing Zomato Premier League with another program by the weekend.</p>.<p>While Swiggy did not comment on the development, sources said the company has paused the in-app feature and is in conversation with Google on this issue.</p>.<p>Google did not comment on the matter.</p>.<p>Various companies are trying to cash in on the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) and have added gamification features to woo customers, enhance engagement and boost sales.</p>.<p>On September 18, Paytm app was blocked from Play Store for a few hours for violating Google's policy on sports betting activities.</p>.<p>The app was restored after the SoftBank-backed Paytm removed the 'cashback' feature linked to a game on the app.</p>.<p><strong>Also read — <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/business/business-news/google-play-billing-must-for-apps-selling-on-play-store-says-internet-giant-894703.html" target="_blank">Google Play billing must for apps selling on Play Store, says internet giant</a></strong></p>.<p>Paytm had alleged that it was "arm-twisted" by the search engine major to comply with its biased Play Store policies "that are meant to artificially create Google's market dominance".</p>.<p>Interestingly, Google had on Tuesday had clarified that apps that choose to sell digital content through its Play Store will have to use the Google Play billing system and pay a percentage of the in-app purchase as a fee.</p>.<p>Many Indian startups have raised concerns around this move, saying Google cannot force Indian app developers/owners to sell digital services by compulsorily using its billing system, and giving the US-based company a 30 per cent fee on each transaction.</p>.<p>Many founders also believe that India needs a local app store to provide more choice to consumers.</p>
<p>Food delivery apps Zomato and Swiggy have received notices from Google for their in-app gamification features that allegedly violate the tech giant's Play Store guidelines.</p>.<p>The development comes just weeks after Paytm was blocked from the Play Store for a few hours for violating Google's policy on sports betting activities.</p>.<p>When contacted, Zomato confirmed receiving the notice and termed it as "unfair".</p>.<p><strong>Also read — <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/business/paytm-taken-down-from-google-play-store-889324.html" target="_blank">Paytm taken down from Google Play store</a></strong></p>.<p>"Yes, we have received a notice from Google. We believe that the notice is unfair, but we are a small company and have already realigned our business strategy to comply with Google's guidelines," a Zomato spokesperson said in an e-mailed response.</p>.<p>The spokesperson added that the company will be replacing Zomato Premier League with another program by the weekend.</p>.<p>While Swiggy did not comment on the development, sources said the company has paused the in-app feature and is in conversation with Google on this issue.</p>.<p>Google did not comment on the matter.</p>.<p>Various companies are trying to cash in on the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) and have added gamification features to woo customers, enhance engagement and boost sales.</p>.<p>On September 18, Paytm app was blocked from Play Store for a few hours for violating Google's policy on sports betting activities.</p>.<p>The app was restored after the SoftBank-backed Paytm removed the 'cashback' feature linked to a game on the app.</p>.<p><strong>Also read — <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/business/business-news/google-play-billing-must-for-apps-selling-on-play-store-says-internet-giant-894703.html" target="_blank">Google Play billing must for apps selling on Play Store, says internet giant</a></strong></p>.<p>Paytm had alleged that it was "arm-twisted" by the search engine major to comply with its biased Play Store policies "that are meant to artificially create Google's market dominance".</p>.<p>Interestingly, Google had on Tuesday had clarified that apps that choose to sell digital content through its Play Store will have to use the Google Play billing system and pay a percentage of the in-app purchase as a fee.</p>.<p>Many Indian startups have raised concerns around this move, saying Google cannot force Indian app developers/owners to sell digital services by compulsorily using its billing system, and giving the US-based company a 30 per cent fee on each transaction.</p>.<p>Many founders also believe that India needs a local app store to provide more choice to consumers.</p>