Apple: Why Apple is ‘not ready’ to remove betting apps from App Store in India – Times of India
The Ministry of Electronics and nformation technology (MeitY) asked Apple and Google to remove betting apps from their respective app stores in February. Google removed the concerned apps but the iPhone maker has reportedly asked Indian officials to provide a solid reason. According to a report by ET, Apple has said that it needs a “concrete reason or a legal requirement” to fully comply with the Centre’s directive to take down betting apps from its App Store. The Cupertino-based tech giant has not outrightly refused to comply with the order but has made it clear that it cannot “arbitrarily” remove the betting apps and make them unavailable in India.
As per the report, Apple has argued that “since these apps are valid and legal in other geographies, it would be difficult for the company to bar them outright in India.” However, Apple has been “asked to look into ways that the order can be implemented,” the report added.
India banned 138 gaming and betting apps
MeitY released a list of 138 gaming and betting apps that were barred from operating in India in February. Soon after the announcement, Apple executives and Indian IT officials met in March. Amongst these, three such apps Betway, BetNetix and Bet Analytix which are also part of the list of banned apps is still available on the Apple App Store. However, these apps have already been removed from Google Play Store.
These apps were allegedly in violation of Section 69A of the IT Act. At the time of banning the apps, officials believed that they contained material which was a threat to the sovereignty and integrity of the country.
The report also noted that “when the government issues takedown orders, Apple has one of three options — to tell MeitY that they cannot take down the apps and provide a reason for the same, take the government to court like Twitter did or to comply.”
As per the report, Apple has argued that “since these apps are valid and legal in other geographies, it would be difficult for the company to bar them outright in India.” However, Apple has been “asked to look into ways that the order can be implemented,” the report added.
India banned 138 gaming and betting apps
MeitY released a list of 138 gaming and betting apps that were barred from operating in India in February. Soon after the announcement, Apple executives and Indian IT officials met in March. Amongst these, three such apps Betway, BetNetix and Bet Analytix which are also part of the list of banned apps is still available on the Apple App Store. However, these apps have already been removed from Google Play Store.
These apps were allegedly in violation of Section 69A of the IT Act. At the time of banning the apps, officials believed that they contained material which was a threat to the sovereignty and integrity of the country.
The report also noted that “when the government issues takedown orders, Apple has one of three options — to tell MeitY that they cannot take down the apps and provide a reason for the same, take the government to court like Twitter did or to comply.”
What Apple has to say
Apple has already removed Betway from India’s storefront after getting MeitY’s removal notice, the report noted. Moreover, the company has also asked the government agency to provide the app identification numbers of the other apps to be removed.
Apple mentioned that it wants to ensure accuracy before taking down the apps to comply with local law. The company is “vetting” the apps to ensure “only the wrong or bad players of the ecosystem” are taken down, the report added. Apple has taken down some of the apps that were banned as an interim measure, while the company is reportedly working on the “best possible solution” for other apps.
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