India Plans State-Backed App Store, Seeks Support from Apple and Google

 

The Indian government is gearing up to launch its own app store, GOV.in, to house all official apps on a single platform. As part of this initiative, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has approached tech giants like Google and Apple, as well as smartphone manufacturers, to make this state-backed app store easily accessible.

 

The government has reportedly requested that the app store be downloadable directly from the Google Play Store and Apple’s App Store. It has also proposed pre-installing the app suite on new smartphones before they reach customers. This move aims to streamline access to public services and welfare programs through a unified platform.

 

However, the plan has met resistance from Google and Apple, who are known for their strict app store policies and revenue-sharing models. With Google holding a significant share of India’s smartphone market, and both companies charging developers a 30% commission, a government-led app store could challenge their control and profits.

 

To address possible pushback, the government is reportedly considering legal action to ensure compliance. India has previously taken bold steps in the tech space, such as banning TikTok in 2020 and clashing with WhatsApp's parent company, Meta, over data privacy concerns.

 

If implemented, the GOV.in app store could improve access to government services and enhance cybersecurity. A similar strategy was adopted in Russia in 2021, where Apple allowed pre-installed government apps. Whether India’s plan will follow suit or face prolonged resistance remains to be seen.