Latest News
Google Relents By Deferring 30% Play Store App Fee For Developers
Indian companies and startups are beginning to come together and are calling for an Indian companies only alliance, to take on tech giant Google. This comes after a severe backlash from the Indian Startup ecosystem over Google’s billing policies. Last month Google clarified apps which fall under the category of education, games, dating and other content must use its in-app Google billing system in India as long as the apps are distributed through Google Play store.
Phones which run on Google’s open source operating system, Android, own about 90% of the smartphone market in India. Paytm was pulled out from Google’s Play store for several hours after Google said Paytm violated its policies. Sensing the disgruntlement among Indian startups, which incidentally also contribute to Google’s cloud business, the tech giant took the decision to defer the 30% commission till March 2022.
“We will be setting up Policy Workshops to help clear any additional questions about our play store policies (sic,)” Purnima Kocchar, Director of Business Development, Games & Applications, Google Play said in a blog post.
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The move was welcomed by the Indian Startup ecosystem as they believe Google is listening to their concerns while some leading startups believe this deferment offers a unique opportunity to come up with an Indian alternative for the play store under the Atmanirbhar Bharat push. Paytm on Sunday said it is starting a service where other apps can be listed on its payments app and one can use them within Paytm, similar to a super app. Paytm said it has been testing the mini app store with select users and it will be free of charge. Paytm’s Mini App Store aims to drive a self-sufficient India and retain consumer spending within the country, the startup said in a statement Monday. Pioneered by Tencent Holdings Ltd.’s WeChat, mini apps are custom-built, low-cost software for basic mobile phones that offer users an app-like experience without the need to download full versions.
Founder of CCAvenues, Vishwas Patel said “ust because Google owns the gate and the gateway to the digital ecosystem of this country, they should not act arbitrarily and enforce their rules and regulations which are contrary to our country’s laws. Also, they cannot force Indian apps developers/owners selling digital services to compulsorily use the Google Billing and payment system and charge 30 % MDR (sic.)”
India has a wealth of technical resources and it will be interesting to see how the Indian Startups will come up with ideas to create a new system which will bring down the digital monopoly of a behemoth.
Latest News
Healthy Snacking Is Emerging as India’s Next Consumer Growth Story
The healthy snacking category in India is no longer a niche trend it is steadily becoming a mainstream consumer movement. The latest funding momentum around brands like Phab highlights how investors are increasingly backing companies that sit at the intersection of health, convenience, and modern lifestyles. As urban consumers become more conscious of ingredients, nutrition, and long-term wellness, demand is shifting away from traditional packaged snacks toward products that promise both taste and better nutritional value.
What makes this market particularly attractive is its ability to create recurring consumer habits. Unlike many direct-to-consumer categories that rely heavily on one-time purchases, healthy snacks naturally fit into daily routines. This opens opportunities for brands to build stronger customer loyalty while expanding into adjacent categories such as protein-rich foods, functional beverages, and wellness-focused products. The competition is no longer about selling snacks it is about owning a larger share of the consumer’s health journey.
Looking ahead, the biggest winners may not be the brands with the widest product portfolios, but those that can balance nutrition, affordability, and taste at scale. As health-conscious consumption expands beyond metro cities, India’s better-for-you food segment could evolve into one of the country’s most significant consumer categories. The growing flow of capital into this space signals that investors are betting on a long-term behavioral shift rather than a short-lived food trend.
Latest News
Why Capital Is Flowing Toward Bharat-Focused Fintechs Again
India’s fintech sector is entering a new phase of growth, and the spotlight is increasingly shifting toward underserved consumers in smaller cities and towns. The recent funding secured by WeRize reflects growing investor confidence in platforms that are expanding access to financial products such as credit, insurance, and other services for customers who have traditionally remained outside the reach of formal financial institutions. As digital adoption deepens across the country, fintech companies are finding significant opportunities beyond metro markets.
What makes this trend notable is the industry’s transition from simply enabling digital payments to building broader financial ecosystems. Rather than focusing on a single service, fintech firms are expanding their product portfolios to meet multiple customer needs under one platform. This approach not only strengthens customer relationships but also creates more sustainable business models by increasing engagement and lifetime value.
The larger implication is that India’s next fintech growth story may be driven by financial inclusion rather than convenience alone. Investors are increasingly backing companies that combine technology, data-driven underwriting, and localized distribution to serve emerging consumer segments. As competition intensifies, the ability to build trust, offer relevant products, and address the financial needs of Bharat could become a key differentiator for the next generation of fintech leaders.
Latest News
OpenAI’s Trusted Contact Feature Signals a New Direction in AI Safety
OpenAI’s introduction of trusted contact safeguards for potential self-harm cases reflects a major evolution in AI responsibility.
Beyond Moderation
AI safety is shifting from simply blocking harmful content to actively supporting user wellbeing through:
- early risk detection
- human-centered intervention
- stronger emotional safety frameworks
This positions AI as more than an information tool—it becomes part of broader digital support systems.
Key Industry Impact
Trusted contact models could influence future safety standards across:
- AI assistants
- mental health platforms
- social media
- digital health services
The Bigger Challenge
While promising, success depends on balancing:
- privacy
- consent
- ethical intervention
- user trust
Final Take
This move signals that the future of AI safety may rely not just on preventing harmful responses, but on building more responsible, human-connected support systems.

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