Google Fined Rs 1,337.76 Crore for Anti-Competitive Practices in India
In a recent ruling by the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT), Google has been ordered to pay a fine of Rs 1,337.76 crore for anti-competitive practices related to Android mobile devices. The fine was imposed by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) on October 20th last year. Google had challenged the verdict before the NCLAT. The two-judge bench rejected their plea and directed Google to implement the order and pay the amount within 30 days.
The CCI had fined Google for showing unacceptable dominance over Android, the mobile operating system. This dominance was due to the way Google installed its apps on Android phones, making it impossible to remove them. Similar issues were also faced by Google in the European Union. One of the most prominent names during this litigation was MapmyIndia, a company that has been doing mapping in India long before Google Maps came into vogue. The verdict is seen as an important one for India’s technology sector as it could lead to more competition with Google and pave the way for apps developed in India to reach the country’s users.
Rohan Verma, head of MapMyIndia, responded to the verdict saying that India has been freed from the slavery imposed by Google for the last 15 years. He believes that this ruling has opened the way for apps like theirs to reach the country’s users. The Supreme Court also observed that there is no reason to interfere with the order of the CCI.
The CCI incorporates many of the reforms introduced by the European Union, but goes beyond them in some respects. With this, the market will also be open to competitors with Google. Google is set to be a platform for many marginalized companies to showcase their talent. As a market, there are limitless possibilities. It has been suggested that the country may have a ‘new YouTube’, new mapping services, browsers, and even a search engine.
However, Google had earlier hinted that the price of Android-powered devices in India may go up if the ruling is implemented. Many of Google’s services are kept free by leveraging user data. It remains to be seen if there will be a change in this regard. In the same way, if you use many app stores, there is a possibility of getting viruses on your phones, and this could pose a threat to users and even national security. The company says the CCI order, which requires it to support multiple versions of Android, could lead to more problems.
Users are unlikely to suddenly abandon their habits or favorite apps. For now, everything is likely to remain the same. At the same time, we cannot rule out the possibility that the price of devices will increase and it will hamper India’s digital boom. This may be an environment where Google’s apps can be uninstalled at will.
The verdict is seen as a significant one for India’s technology sector. It could lead to more competition with Google and pave the way for new apps developed in India to reach the country’s users. Google’s dominance over Android mobile devices has been an issue faced by many companies, including MapmyIndia. The company sees this verdict as a way for India to be freed from the slavery imposed by Google.
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