India Fines Google $113 Million for Abusing Play Store Dominance

October 26, 2022 By Omal J

(Image Credit Google)

India’s antitrust agency slaps Google with $113 million, stating that the company misused its position in Play Store and asked to permit developers to access third-party payment systems for app and in-app purchases. Following a prolonged investigation, the Competition Commission of India stated that Google’s billing system “constitutes an imposition of unfair conditions,” to developers on Playstore. It was found that Google did not use this system for apps owned by them, making it an “imposition of discriminatory conditions.” Google has been ordered to open Third-party payments within three months and the agency stated that it cannot force anti-steering services on developers. It stated that Google should not hamper others from promoting apps and services and also the company cannot restrict users from obtaining developers' systems. The agency stated that Google will have to be open about Play Store developers and should not force rules which are “unfair, unreasonable, discriminatory or disproportionate to the services provided to the app developers." India fines Google $113 million for abusing Play Store dominance.

India fines Google $113 million for abusing Play Store dominance.

It stated that the company will have to have a transparent data policy, “competitively relevant transaction/consumer data of apps generated and acquired" via Google Play. The agency stated that pre-installation of Google apps on smartphones is not necessary and it should not hold back Play Services APIs and money from other groups. 97% of India’s smartphone market share is owned by Google and Google Play is a favored pay service. In terms of users, India is their largest market, and Google’s legal team is reviewing the pronouncement.

By Omal J

I worked for both print and electronic media as a feature journalist. Writing, traveling, and DIY sum up her life.

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