Data localisation: Google Pay seeks time to adhere with RBI guidelines for digital payment services

Internet major Google has sought two more months from the Indian government to adhere with Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) guidelines for data localisation for digital payment services.

In April this year, RBI had directed payment system operators to store all data, including full end-to-end transaction details and information collected within India to ensure security of the users' information. The service providers were given six months till October 15 to comply.

Google has agreed to comply with RBI guidelines, said a senior IT ministry official. Google has already launched Google Pay, which was earlier named Tez.

Facebook-owned WhatsApp also has plans of launching a digital payments platform in India.

Minister of electronics and information technology Ravi Shankar Prasad had met internet and technology companies chief executives recently on his trip to the US.

A Google spokesperson person did not confirm the development. However, the spokesperson said, "We maintain that cross-border data flows today are ubiquitous and an essential phenomenon for global economic activity and universal access to information."

"Soaring data flows generate more economic value, and hence, the socioeconomic impact of restricting data flows must be thoroughly considered while framing any policy. There is a need to find practical and contemporary solutions to policy issues in line with global best practices. We have nothing to add at this point of time," the spokesperson added.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai, in a letter to the minister, said, "Free flow of data across borders with a focus on user privacy and security will encourage start-ups to innovate and expand globally and encourage global companies to contribute to India's digital economy."

In about 12 months since its launch, Google Pay has about 22 million users.

WITHIN BOUNDARY

• Google has agreed to comply with RBI guidelines, said a senior IT ministry official  
• Google has already launched Google Pay, which was earlier named Tez   
• Facebook-owned WhatsApp also has plans of launching a digital payments platform

Source: DNA Money