Android TV makers in India no longer forced to bundle Google Play Store, says CCI
Google has recently been facing several antitrust lawsuits, highlighting its wrongful monopoly in the market. One such case has also been filed in India. Filed by two Indian antitrust lawyers, the case now comes to an end. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has finally stated that Google has been 'misusing its dominant position' to cut out the competition to stand a chance. advertisementAfter the CCI's ruling, Android TV makers in India are no longer mandated to bundle Google's OS, Google Play Store or any other pre-installed apps. Google to follow new laws in India Google has submitted a settlement application under Section 48A of the Competition Act, signalling its agreement with what is being called the "New India Agreement". As part of this arrangement, the tech giant will now offer separate licences for its Play Store and Play Services specifically for Android-based smart televisions in India. According to the Competition Commission of India (CCI), this move eliminates the prior obligation to bundle these services together or to enforce conditions such as default app placement.
Furthermore, Google has agreed to forgo the requirement for a valid Android Compatibility Commitment (ACC) for smart TVs shipped to India that do not come pre-installed with Google applications. This shift means television manufacturers can now develop and market Android devices that do not meet traditional compatibility standards without breaching Google's Television App Distribution Agreement (TADA), the CCI added.advertisementIn its statement, the Commission remarked, "considering the material on record and the assessment of the settlement proposal after taking into consideration the nature, gravity, and impact of the contraventions, the commission agrees to the proposal for settlement in terms of Section 48A (3) of the Act and the settlement regulations.' Google to pay Rs 20.2 crore as penaltyFollowing the application of a 15 per cent discount on the penalty, the final settlement amount payable stands at Rs 20.2 crore.This development stems from a case initiated by two individuals, Kshitiz Arya and Purushottam Anand, who lodged a complaint under Section 19(1)(a) of the Competition Act, 2002. The complaint was directed against Google LLC, Google India Pvt Ltd, Xiaomi Technology India, and TCL India Holding, alleging violations of multiple provisions of the Act.Google called out for online advertising dominanceIn a significant decision handed down this week, a US judge has ruled that Google unlawfully sustained its dominance within the digital advertising sector. The court determined that Google had 'willfully acquired and maintained monopoly power' across two critical components: publisher ad servers and ad exchanges. These platforms form the backbone of how online adverts are bought and sold — a vital income stream for news organisations and digital content creators alike.advertisement'This exclusionary behaviour not only blocked rivals from competing fairly, but also caused considerable harm to Google's publishing clients, disrupted fair competition, and adversely affected users accessing information across the open internet,' the judge stated, as reported by Reuters.The ruling found that Google had actively distorted the advertising landscape to sideline competitors, ultimately restricting options for publishers and driving up costs for consumers.Tune In
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