CCI orders probe from Google Play Store, details here

The CCI decision came after several Indian app developers and industry groups filed a complaint against Google, raising concerns about the company’s unfair practices.

New Delhi: The Competition Commission of India (CCI) on Friday ordered a probe into the Google Play Store, accusing the tech giant of exploiting its dominant position in the country’s online market. The CCI said Google has allegedly imposed unfair terms and conditions and discriminatory practices on the Play Store, violating several provisions of the country’s antitrust law. The CCI investigation wing has been given 60 days to complete the investigation.

The company said it was examining the CCI order that opened the probe.

“The CCI previously examined our service charges in detail between 2020 and 2022 and found no illegality. However, we take our commitment to comply with local laws and regulations in India seriously and will cooperate with the process in every way possible,” a Google spokesperson told IANS.

The CCI decision came after several Indian app developers and industry groups filed a complaint against Google, raising concerns about the company’s unfair practices after several of their apps were removed. The apps were later restored. The CCI investigation was launched following a new complaint from People Interactive and several other developers, specifically about the service fees charged on Google Play.

Prateek Jain, Associate Director of the Alliance of Digital India Foundation (ADIF), said in a statement that they applaud the commitment of regulators like the CCI to promote a level playing field for businesses.

“We believe that fair implementation and monitoring of billing systems will result in competitive pricing of services in the marketplace, stimulate innovation, safeguard consumer choice and benefit the interests of all stakeholders in the digital ecosystem,” Jain added.