Google to pay Rs 1,337 crore penalty imposed by CCI

Good on Google: The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) has ordered Google to deposit 10% of the total fine of Rs 1,337.76 crore imposed by India’s antitrust regulator, the Competition Commission of India (CCI), for anti-competitive behaviour, news agency PTI reported. according to The fine was imposed because it “abused its dominance in many regions within the Android mobile device ecosystem.

As punishment for alleged “abuse” of its dominant position in several Android markets, the CCI also imposed non-monetary restrictions on Google. The IT behemoth was also told to ‘change its behaviour’.

Now, apart from paying 10% of the total amount, Google will have to follow CCI’s instructions for many operations. For example, it may not be possible to pre-install Google programs (apps) on Android phones.

On Tuesday, Google claimed that the CCI had taken over part of an earlier ruling from the European Commission against the tech company.

According to Reuters, “Google is concerned by the Indian ruling, as the remedial measures ordered are more far-reaching than the European Commission’s landmark 2018 ruling that imposed illegal restrictions on Android mobile device makers.” More than 50 instances of “copying” have been cited, some in “word for word” order.

Google added that these agreements help keep the operating system open and that Android has expanded the options available to everyone. According to Counterpoint Research, 75% of Europe’s 550 million smartphones run Android, compared to 97% of India’s 600 million smartphones.

Google licenses its Android operating system to smartphone makers, but some say this leads to anti-competitive restrictions.

India fines Google. 1337 million: Important factors

• Google cited the decision to punish it for alleged anti-competitive practices as a “major setback” for Indian consumers and businesses.
• The Google company said it would consider the choice before deciding how to proceed.
• Google oversees and manages the Android operating system, in addition to licensing its other proprietary software. OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) use this operating system and Google apps on their mobile devices.
• Smart mobile devices require an operating system (OS) for programs and applications to function. Android is one of the mobile operating systems that Google bought in 2005.