Paytm responds to removal of app from Google Play Store, says users' money is 100% safe

Paytm has responded to their app being pulled off the Google Play Store, asks users not to worry about their money.

People who already have the app on their smartphones can keep using it as they were, Paytm said. (Paytm)

After being pulled off the Google Play Store, Paytm has finally released its full statement where they assured their users that they have nothing to worry about. 

Paytm wrote in the statement that all users' account balances are 100% safe and their services are also fully functional. People who already have the app on their smartphones can keep using it as they were, Paytm said. 

𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲: We continue to work with Google to restore our Android app. We assure all our users that their balances & linked accounts are 100% safe.

Our services are fully functional on all existing apps and you can continue enjoying Paytm like before.https://t.co/Klb63HRr0V

— Paytm (@Paytm) September 18, 2020

Here's the full statement from Paytm:

We recently launched the ‘Paytm Cricket League' on our consumer app for users to engage in their passion of cricket and get cashback. The game allows users to get player stickers after each transaction, collect them and receive Paytm Cashback.

Today afternoon, we received communication from Google that they are suspending our app because they believe this to be a violation of their Play Store policies on gambling. The Paytm Android app has thus been unlisted from Google's Play Store and is temporarily unavailable to users for new downloads or updates.

While it is clear that all activities on Paytm are completely lawful, we have temporarily removed the cashback component in an effort to meet the Play Store policy requirements.

We continue to work with Google to restore the app. We assure all our users that their balances and linked accounts are 100% safe. Our services are fully functional on all existing apps and you can continue enjoying Paytm like before.

The online payment app was removed from the Google Play Store a couple of hours ago, and Google is yet to officially announce why. However, Google published a blog about Play Store's policy regarding gambling soon after and that indicated that the action taken by Google against Paytm was probably related to the Paytm First Games that allow users to win real money. 

This was followed by FIFS or Federation of Indian Fantasy Sports sharing a note where they said that Google had taken action after they complained about Paytm. 

FIFS on behalf of all its Fantasy Sports members strongly urges @GoogleIndia to allow Fantasy Sports Apps on the Play Store, as Fantasy Sports has been recognised by the Supreme Court of India as ‘Game of Skill'. #IndianFantasySports

— Federation of Indian Fantasy Sports (FIFS) (@FIFS_Official) September 18, 2020

You can read more details about FIFS' complaint here.

For now, Paytm's app is not on the Play Store, however, Paytm Games (where the real issue seems to lie) is still available on the Play Store. Like Paytm has mentioned, if you already have the app you can continue to use it.