Google & Apple: The 30% Partners in Crime
The world is rising up and calling out against the monopolistics practices of Apple andd Google.
In Today's Siam Sixers
🌎 Apple and Google - The 30% Partners in Crime
📺 A video on the biggest bets taken by Freshworks CEO Girish Mathrubootham
💡 Essential reading material for product leaders
🎧 Podcast: Inventing in India’s B2B
💰 Saudi Govt. Considers VC Investments in Indian Startups
😂 A bit of tech humor
1️⃣Apple and Google - The 30% Partners in Crime
In the pulsating world of tech, two giants have long cast their colossal shadows – Google and Apple. But beneath the shiny veneer lies a darker narrative, one that has the rest of the tech world seething with anger.
App makers and policymakers around the world are accusing Apple and Google of promoting anti-competitive practices in their app marketplaces - Play Store and App Store. They argue that Apple and Google are stifling competition by charging exorbitant commission fees and favoring their own company’s apps.
🛡️Spotify Takes a Stand
In a recent development on Monday, Spotify, the rockstar of music streaming, launched a salvo against Apple for their App Store's weighty 30% commission for in-app purchases. Wearing its rebel hat, Spotify argued that Apple's cash-cow policies undermine fair competition. Spotify also points out the inconsistency in Apple’s policies, where Apple’s own apps like Apple Music are exempt from the 30% commission, putting third-party developers at a disadvantage.
🌍A Global Chorus of Concern
Spotify isn't alone in this fight, nor is Apple the only culprit. Google also charges an exorbitant 30% fee as a commission for in-app purchases. Other startups and even governments all over the world have joined the chorus against the monopolistic practices of Apple and Google.
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) launched its probe into Google’s app store policies in December 2021, following which the Search giant has reduced commission to just 4% for India apps, but does not follow the same in other countries.
Read: Why are App Makers Unhappy with Google Play’s billing policy?
🚫Korea's "Anti-Google Law": A Game Changer
Meanwhile, in South Korea, the ‘anti-Google law’ has emerged as a game-changer. This law prevents both Apple and Google from forcing developers to use their in-app payment systems, breaking their stranglehold on app monetization. It has been dubbed as such after the search giant, but it affects both companies equally. This groundbreaking legislation could set a global precedent, challenging the duopoly's dominance.
⚖️Balancing Greed and Fair Play
As the clash between these tech titans rages on, the fundamental question remains: Are they prioritizing innovation and competition, or is their greed overshadowing the principles of fair play and consumer choice? Only time will tell if the winds of change will disrupt the cozy status quo, not just in South Korea but around the world, including in the vast and influential tech market of India.
2️⃣Video: Freshworks’ CEO Talks About His Biggest Bets
We all know the story of Girish Mathrubootham and the much-publicized Freshworks IPO a few years back. But, what we don’t know are the big bets that Girish took early on to take Freshworks to great heights.
In this video, Girish discusses five decisions that worked for him in scaling Freshworks from a humble SaaS company in Chennai to a global software product company.
3️⃣Essential Reading for Product Teams and Leaders
Here are the latest articles from Siam Computing and the ProdWrks publication that I feel will be useful for product teams and product leaders.
🚧 The Cost of Delay: Hidden Dangers of Technical Debt in Product Development
🤖 The AI Revolution: How is Artificial Intelligence Transforming Businesses
📜 Navigating Compliance with India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023
🎓 BrightCHAMPS’ EdTech Formula: Balancing Parental Aspirations with Fun Learning for Children
📱 Why are App Makers Unhappy with Google Play’s billing policy?
🏦 Why Is Digital Customer Onboarding Critical to Banking and Financial Transactions?
😡 Ten Dysfunctions of Product Management – Part 1
😡 Ten Dysfunctions of Product Management – Part 2
4️⃣Podcast: Building a Great B2B Business
Traditionally centered on distribution, B2B investments are now shifting toward IP-led development and manufacturing. And investors are taking note of these changes.
In this podcast, Sudipto Sannigrahi and Anurag Srivastava from Matrix Partners delve into the B2B landscape in India and discuss what founders building B2B brands must be aware of - from building moats to penetrating new markets.
5️⃣Saudi Govt. Considers VC Investments in Indian Startups
The government of Saudi Arabia is considering setting up an office of its Sovereign Wealth Fund in India, hoping to invest in Indian startups through venture capital,
It is worth noting that Saudi investments in India stand at $3.22 billion between April 2000 to June 2023. These investments have been made by the government-owned Public Investment Fund (PIF) in Indian companies that are beyond their start-up stage. India and Saudi Arabia have also started the Startup Bridge initiative.
Under the Startup Bridge initiative, India’s Commerce and Industry Ministry, Invest India, and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry will establish an investment and trade promotion office in Riyadh.
🎧Listen: Will Saudi Money be a Gamechanger for Indian Startups?
6️⃣A bit of tech humor
I hope you enjoyed this week's curated stories and resources. Check your inbox again next week, or read previous editions of Siam Sixers for more insights. To get instant updates, connect with me on LinkedIn.
Cheers!
Khuze Siam
Founder: Siam Computing & ProdWrks