Google Fined ₹ 1,337 Crore ($162 m) In India For "Abusing Its Dominant Position"

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) on Thursday imposed a penalty of Rs.1337.76 crore ($162mln) on Google for abusing its dominant position in multiple markets in the Android mobile device ecosystem. The CCI directed the internet major to cease and desist from unfair business practices. The CCI said it has also directed Google to modify its conduct within a defined timeline.

According to the CCI order, Google can neither force OEMs of smart devices to pre-install its own apps, nor restrict users from un-installing such apps. It said "Users should have the flexibility to easily set as well as easily change the default settings in their devices, in minimum steps possible". Moreover Google also has to allow the developers of other app stores to distribute their app stores through Play store.

The Android-related probe, started in 2019, was sparked by a complaint from two junior Indian antitrust research associates and a law school student. The Indian case is similar to one faced by Google in Europe, where regulators imposed a $5 billion fine on the company for forcing manufacturers to pre-install its apps on Android devices.