You are currently viewing Google Reaches Settlement with CCI on Android TV Practices
Citation: Image is used for information purposes only.

Google Reaches Settlement with CCI on Android TV Practices

Prime Highlights

  • Google India has paid a settlement amount of ₹20.24 crore to the Competition Commission of India (CCI) for an antitrust matter on its Android TV behavior.
  • The company has also pledged to modifying its deals with smart TV manufacturers to provide more competition.

Key Facts

  • CCI described Google’s deals with television manufacturers as anti-competitive and mandated the pre-installation of Google apps.
  • Google will now sell separate Play Store and Play Services licenses, loosening the restrictions on device manufacturers.

Key Background

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) asked questions about Google’s actions in the smart TV sector in 2021 after being complained against by antitrust attorneys Kshitiz Arya and Purushottam Anand. According to the complaints, Google was abusing its market power to devise restrictive agreements with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and thus stifle competition.

Precisely, Google’s Android Compatibility Commitment (ACC) and Television App Distribution Agreement (TADA) were found anti-competitive pursuant to the Competition Act. The agreements compelled TV producers to pre-install Google’s entire portfolio of applications, including Play Store and YouTube, and banned them from utilizing or selling alternative versions of Android.

In conclusion to the inquiry, the CCI ruled that Google had actually misused its market dominance under Sections 3(4) and 4 of the Act. In a last-ditch effort to settle the issue, Google consented to pay ₹20.24 crore and gave major concessions. The organization has promised it would unbundle its applications so that OEMs can buy separate licenses for the Play Store and Play Services. This shift provides more freedom to manufacturers in designing and selling smart TVs without being constrained by the complete set of Google apps.

Surprisingly, Google will also exclude the ACC for imported devices to India that are not pre-installed with Google apps. This provides OEMs with the autonomy to innovate on altered or alternate Android systems without violating earlier contracts.

The decree represents a landmark change in Indian regulation history, the first after an amendment to the 2023 Competition Act of the Competition Act to facilitate settlements and commitments. It’s a victory for competition in markets, increasing producers’ freedom and potentially increasing customer options within smart TVs.