Madras HC Issued Temporary Injunction Against Google For Delisting Hotstar From PlayStore

In the ongoing dispute between Novi Digital Entertainment, the owner of Disney+Hotstar, and Google over the latter's new in-app billing policy, the Madras High Court has issued a temporary injunction against Google. The court has ordered Google not to remove the Disney+Hotstar app from the Play Store for Android devices. The interim order was passed in response to a plea filed by Novi Digital Entertainment challenging Google's billing policy.

Additionally, the court has instructed Google to levy only a four percent commission on all transactions made through the Disney+Hotstar app during this interim period. Previously, Google required all app developers, including companies like Matrimony.com, AltBalaji, and Unacademy, to use its Google Play Billing System (GPBS) for all app purchases and in-app transactions, charging them a commission ranging from 15 to 30 percent for these services.

Google's new billing system offers users the option to select "an alternative billing" method, allowing app developers to use third-party billing systems. However, it also imposes a service fee ranging from 11 to 26 percent. This service fee has been the subject of opposition from Disney+Hotstar, Matrimony, and other app developers.