The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has imposed a fine of Rs. 1,337.76 crores on Google for anti-competitive practices related to Android. The investigation began several years ago after receiving complaints from local smartphone firms and consumers.
Google asks smartphone companies to pre-install the entire Google Mobile Suite under Mobile Application Distribution Agreement (MADA). It also mandates the prominent placement of those apps. Commission concluded that it is an unfair condition for the device manufacturers.
The investigation found that Google used Android to secure its dominant position in web search services, web browsers, and online video hosting segment by forcing device makers to pre-install Google apps such as Google search, Chrome, and YouTube.
CCI has also ordered Google not to offer any incentives to smartphone companies to include Google’s search services.
Google is facing similar scrutiny from several governments across the globe. Texas recently filed a lawsuit against Google for collecting the biometric data of millions of citizens without consent. Similar probes are running in European Union and other regions.
