Google Stifling Homegrown Competitors May Harm Indian Consumers, Economy: MapMyIndia CEO

Google’s actions are harmful to both Indian consumers and the economy as they suppress swadeshi (indigenous) competitors, said Rohan Verma, CEO of MapmyIndia in a statement to PTI. 

Verma stated that it is widely known in the industry, government, and among regulators that Google engages in anti-competitive practices and maintains its monopolies through such actions, making it difficult for alternative operating systems, app stores, and apps like maps to gain widespread adoption among OEMs and users.

According to Verma, previously, MapMyIndia had to repeatedly reach out to Google about the removal of their app. After publicly speaking out on social media and receiving media coverage, the MapMyIndia app was finally reinstated. 

He further accused Google of attempting to coerce and influence the narrative in order to undermine the efforts of the CCI, the Government of India, and the Parliament. It is also using PR tactics to shape the narrative in its favour, which will harm both Indian consumers and the Indian economy, accused the MapMyIndia CEO.

Verma’s comment follows the parliamentary proposal by a panel for ex-ante regulations, classification of Systemically Important Digital Intermediaries (SIDIs) and a new digital competition law to address anti-competitive practices in digital markets. 

In the past, Google has been accused of monopolistic tendencies across Play Store, advertisements, Android OS and Smart TV markets. In two such enquiries set out by CCI, it was also fined INR 2,274 Cr. Its competitor, Apple, has also been accused of playing foul with the iOS store.

The panel recommended that competitive behaviour be evaluated before markets become monopolised (ex-ante) instead of after the fact (ex-post). 

The panel further suggested that India should adopt definitions to ex-ante regulate the behaviour of SIDIs, as has already been done by various legislation globally. In addition, the panel recommended the establishment of a specialised digital markets unit within the Competition Commission of India (CCI) to closely monitor SIDIs and provide recommendations on designating SIDIs to the central government. 

It also emphasised the importance of platform neutrality and said that a SIDI should not favour its own offers over its competitors. Other recommendations include prohibiting the SIDIs from engaging in anti-steering, deep discounting, self-preferencing, search and ranking preferencing and other similar practices that could impact competition in the market.

The government is also considering implementing light-touch regulation for major tech companies, such as Apple and Google, to promote innovation while ensuring fair practices.