Bullying in every sector can be dangerous, and the recent step taken by Google confirms this notion. Yesterday it was announced that Google has removed several Indian apps from the Play Store, including the Telugu OTT video streaming service Aha Video, due to ‘policy violations.’
The decision came as a shock to many as Aha Video is one of the most popular local streaming platforms in the Telugu region.
The removal of such a site without any prior notice has been criticized by tech figures like Sanjeev Nikchandani and Anupam Mittal, the founder of Shaadi Mittal called it a black day for the internet, stating that demanding high payments from developers or removing apps from the store without warning is tragic.
IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnav also interfered in the issue and it clearly reflects the magnanimity of the same.
Apart from Aha Video and Shaadi other removed apps include Alt Balaji (another streaming platform by Ekta Kapoor), Bharat Matrimony, Naukri, 99 Acres, the popular audio learning platform Kuku FM, Stage OTT, and Quack Quack.
While the decision is condemned by many, it will likely face legal scrutiny once the higher authorities take the matter into hand. Google, on its part, stated that these developers were given three years to prepare for the new policy. As the decision is yet to come, let’s hope that the matter gets sorted quickly.