Indian govt wants betting apps removed, Apple says its complicated
In February, Apple and Google were requested by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (Meity) to remove gambling apps from their respective app stores. Google uninstalled the offending apps, but the tech giant Apple is said to have urged Indian officials to give a convincing explanation.
MeitY issues a removal notice for 138 gambling and betting applications
MeitY published a list of 138 gambling and betting applications that were prohibited from being used in India. These applications allegedly broke the IT Act’s Section 69A. Officials believed that the applications included content that threatened the sovereignty and integrity of the nation at the time they were banned.
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In March, Apple executives and Indian IT officials met shortly after the announcement. Three of these apps, Betway, BetNetix, and Bet Analytix, are still accessible through the Apple App Store and are on the list of prohibited apps.However, the Google Play Store has already removed these apps.
Apple has reportedly stated that it needed a “concrete reason or a legal requirement” before it will completely abide by the Centre’s order to remove betting apps from its App Store. The Cupertino-based tech giant hasn’t flat-out said it won’t follow the court’s decision, but it has made it clear that it can’t “arbitrarily” take the betting applications off the market and prevent users in India from using them.
According to the article, Apple has stated that “it would be difficult for the company to bar them outright in India” because “these apps are valid and legal in other geographies.” According to the article, Apple has been “asked to look into ways that the order can be implemented.”
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Apple’s argument
Following receipt of MeitY’s removal notice, Apple has already taken Betway’s storefront out of India, the report stated. Additionally, the brand has asked the government body for the app IDs of the other apps that need to be deleted. Apple said that before removing the apps to comply with local legislation, it wants to confirm accuracy.
Allegedly, the brand is “vetting” the apps to make sure that “only the wrong or bad players of the ecosystem” are removed. As a stopgap measure, Apple has apparently removed some of the blocked apps while developing the “best possible solution” for the remaining apps.
What can Apple do?
According to the reports, Apple has three alternatives when the government issues takedown orders: it may notify Meity that they cannot remove the apps and explain why; it can sue the government in court, like Twitter did; or it can comply.
With WWDC approaching, what do you think the tech giant will choose? Let us know at editor@digit.in
