I'd like to think the Indian government will have the interests of its own citizens at heart better than Google or Apple. India has a long and not very pleasant history with foreign corporations.
Haha no. The Indian government will have the best interests of the ruling party at heart. I'd rather trust Google with all of my data, even the sensitive bits, rather than give even an iota to the government. And yes, I know how disgusting that sounds.
In the Delhi riots early this year, the government used data gathered from the national database to track and arrest protesters. Imagine what they could do if they could track your phones. At least Google is only selling me real estate ads (woefully inaccurate ones too) and not actively trying to imprison me or my family (bonus points if you're a minority).
If you're a tech entrepreneur, this should worry you regardless. Any industry that the Indian government meddles in eventually gets regulated to death. You have to pay bribes for X or Y license or permission.
The tech industry thrived precisely because there is little regulation.
If your apps have to go through the Indian government to be published, be prepared to pay bribes to pass through the regulatory hurdles and needless paperwork.
No Indian government in my living memory has worked to reduce regulations and compliance, including the current one.
The fact that you mentioned "paperwork" for an app store application sums up exactly how this whole mess will turn out. :)
This Indian government has certainly reduced regulations and compliance - if you're in the B club. I have a distant grand uncle and an uncle both in the B club. They were essentially waved through to set up shop in UP - even though they're Muslim, openly religious and practicing, and have literally been photographed very often inviting Rahul Gandhi and other Congress leaders to their homes right before elections.
Money talks. I mentioned in another comment on HN, that if you are in the B club, you're likely the one ordering the gangsters in the government.
I run a very small online business incorporated as a Pvt Ltd. There is more paperwork now than ever with GST. What's worse is that the regulations keep changing every few months. Tax rates change, deadlines change, exemption limits change. One of the most flawed and confusing taxes I've ever had the displeasure of dealing with.
People can be justifiably afraid of the government without doing anything wrong, especially if the government has a track record of abusing tools at its disposal, enforcing unjust laws, or failing to maintain a good balance of civil rights (such as to peaceful protest - not the same as rioting) needed in a healthy democracy.
I'll ask you the same question when the INC is the ruling party, if there's still a democracy to play around with at the time. It could be any party at the center - the result would be horrid.
