IAMAI Sets Up Task Force To Tackle Abuse Of Dominance By Big Tech Companies

The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) has set up a task force to tackle the abuse of market dominance by big tech companies. 

Murugavel Janakiraman, Bharat Matrimony’s founder and also the chairperson of the task force told ET that the task force will be looking at the Google Play Billing System (GPBS) and IP-related matters to begin with, and then will look at the broader concerns surrounding big tech and their abuse of dominance in India.

This effort is separate from a 40-member task force established in September last year, which was also focused on examining certain Google policies, according to Janakiraman.

In September, several Indian companies and startups joined forces to establish a 40-member task force, led by the IAMAI. This task force was specifically focused on addressing concerns related to Google, with a primary emphasis on the Google Play Billing System (GPBS). 

The group included influential founders from the startup community, and all members of IAMAI were approached to assess their interest in participating. Interestingly, Google is also represented within this task force. 

“We will also begin work on a white paper that will analyse the impact that Big Tech’s policies are having on the Indian startup ecosystem. The task force will be in touch with government officials and policymakers and work towards bettering policy that will benefit the startup ecosystem,” Janakiraman said.

Developers have been accusing Google of imposing a high commission, making operations unsustainable for many startups. Google has reduced its fee in several rounds from the earlier 30% but maintains that it needs to charge some fees to the companies to sustain its operations.

The formation of the latest task force aligns with IAMAI’s shift in stance after Indian founders replaced representatives from big tech firms in the governing council last year.

Reportedly, in February a cluster of Indian startups had written to Google requesting the search giant not to delist them or take “any precipitative steps” against any app developers till March 19 when their special leave petition comes up for hearing in the Supreme Court.

Around 30 companies had written to Google requesting not to be delisted until the SLP is heard, after the Supreme Court on February 16 refused to restrain Google from “delisting” their apps from its Play Store. The order gives Google the liberty to remove the apps that don’t agree with the US tech major’s billing policy.

IAMAI has also been batting for Indian startups on net neutrality, as the telecom sector continues to argue in favour of a revenue-sharing model between startups and telcos. IAMAI added that such revenue-sharing agreements could pile up costs that would eventually be passed on to the customers, thereby raising the cost of internet usage.