The Competition Commission of India also ordered the internet giant to stop engaging in unfair business practices.
Business:- The Competition Commission of India fined Google $1,337.76 crore on Thursday for ‘abusing its dominant position in numerous markets in the Android mobile device ecosystem.
The fair trade regulator ordered the internet giant to stop engaging in unfair business practices.
CCI imposes monetary penalty of ₹ 1337.76 crore on Google for abusing dominant position in multiple markets in the Android Mobile device ecosystem.
Press Release: https://t.co/sXXA0RvK51#Antitrust #AntitrustOrder #antitrustlaw #Google #CCI pic.twitter.com/FE5Yh8PWr4— CCI (@CCI_India) October 20, 2022
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) said in a statement that it has also instructed Google to adjust its behaviour within a specific time frame.
According to the CCI, the mandatory pre-installation of the entire Google Mobile Suite (GMS) under the Mobile Application Distribution Agreement (MADA), with no option to uninstall it, and their prominent placement amount to the imposition of unfair conditions on device manufacturers, which violates competition law.
“These obligations are also found to be like supplementary obligations imposed by Google on OEMs and thus, in contravention of Section 4(2)(d) of the Act,” it was added Section 4 of the Competition Act addresses dominant position abuse.
According to the CCI, the internet giant has used its dominant position in the app store market for Android OS to join and protect its position in the non-OS specific web browser market via Google Chrome App.
“Google has leveraged its dominant position in the app store market for Android OS to enter as well as protect its position in Online Video Hosting Platforms (OVHPs) market through YouTube and thereby contravened provisions of Section 4(2)(e) of the Act,” According to the press release.
Following concerns from buyers of Android-based smartphones in the country, the trade regulator demanded a thorough inquiry into the subject in April 2019. Android is a mobile operating system that is open source and is deployed by Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) of smartphones and tablets.
The charges of unfair business practices concerned two agreements — MADA and Anti Fragmentation Agreement (AFA) — signed by Android OS OEMs with Google.
