Google To Drag CCI To Court Over Android Antitrust Ruling

Google is looking to mount a legal challenge against the Competition Commission of India’s (CCI’s) antitrust ruling within weeks. The order had directed the tech giant to modify its conduct within the Android devices market. 

According to Reuters, CCI’s antitrust directive could likely increase regulatory pressures in other jurisdictions and that the competition watchdog’s move was overarching and imposed restrictions on a wider array of Google apps. 

Besides, there have also been apprehensions within the tech giant that the CCI’s order had sought wider ranging remedial measures as part of its crackdown on Google. Another major point of contention appears to be CCI effectively barring Google from restricting sideloading.,

Sideloading refers to the practice of downloading apps without using an app marketplace. Android effectively triggers multiple prompts before downloading apps outside of the Play Store. 

Additionally, the search engine giant is also reportedly concerned that the order involving its Android operating system could also hit business.

This comes after the competition watchdog imposed two back to back penalties on the tech giant for abuse of dominance. In total, CCI slapped a fine of more than INR 2,200 Cr on Google for its monopolistic policies in the Android devices market and with regards to its Play Store policies.

Officially, Google says that it is still reviewing the order and will, accordingly, take the next set of steps. 

Meanwhile, this comes as the government has also thrown its weight behind the CCI. Earlier on October 28, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw backed CCI’s decision to impose penalties on Google, calling the move a ‘good’ decision. 

This comes amidst mounting problems for the tech giant in the country. Earlier in the day, the centre also notified amendments to the IT Rules, 2021. The announcement will pave the way for the setting up of government-backed appellate tribunals that can call into question the content moderation policies of tech giants including Google. 

The platform is also facing an antitrust probe for its dominance in the news aggregation space. 

With a near total monopoly on the operating systems market in India, the purported move is in consonance with Google’s bid to protect its cash cow. If the mandates see the light of the day, Google could be left seething, sans billions of dollars in ad revenues.