India’s leading edtech company, Byju’s, is grappling with significant operational challenges as its Android app has been taken off the Google Play Store. The disruption stems from unpaid dues to Amazon Web Services (AWS), which powers the company’s cloud infrastructure. This financial strain has led to widespread service outages, affecting users’ access to educational content across platforms.
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Users who previously downloaded the Byju’s app are reporting difficulties accessing paid subscriptions and video content. The company’s website has been reduced to a basic landing page, with most SEO-optimized pages offline. Even the Think & Learn Premium app, a separate offering still listed on the Play Store, is non-functional. While the iOS version remains visible on the App Store, backend issues have rendered key features unusable across all platforms.
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The current crisis is not isolated. Byju’s has been under financial duress, facing delayed investor funding, legal disputes, and auditor resignations. The company is undergoing insolvency proceedings, with a resolution professional appointed by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) overseeing its operations.
Historical Context of Payment Issues
This isn’t the first time Byju’s has faced service suspensions due to unpaid dues. In September 2024, both AWS and Vodafone Idea halted services over similar issues, leading to app crashes and inaccessibility of customer support numbers. At that time, Byju’s claimed to have migrated its databases to Google Cloud, denying any service interruptions.
Leadership’s Response and Future Plans
Founder and CEO Byju Raveendran has acknowledged the company’s challenges and outlined plans for “Byju’s 3.0,” focusing on AI-powered personalized learning. He has pledged to compensate students affected by service disruptions and emphasized a return to the company’s core mission of supporting teachers and students. Financial Express
Implications for Users and the Edtech Sector@EconomicTimes
The removal of Byju’s app from the Play Store and the associated service disruptions have significant implications for its user base, which includes millions of students relying on its educational content. This situation also raises concerns about the stability and reliability of edtech platforms, especially those undergoing financial and operational challenges.
