Google has tarnished the dominant position of its Android system in India, using its “huge financial strain” to harm its illegal competitors, the country’s antitrust authority found in a two-year investigation report seen by Reuters.
Alphabet Inc’s (GOOGL.O) Google has reduced “the ability and incentive of device manufacturers to develop and market devices operating on other Android devices,” said a June report by the Competition Commission of India (CCI).
U.S. technology giant We told Reuters in a statement that we look forward to working with CCI “to show how Android has led to more competition and innovation, not less.”
Google has not yet received a report on the investigation, someone with direct knowledge of the situation told Reuters.
The CCI did not respond to a request for comment. Senior CCI members will review the report and give Google another chance to defend themselves, before issuing a final order, which could impose fines, said someone familiar with the case.
Google will be able to transfer any order to the Indian courts.
The discovery of ts is Google’s latest antitrust retreat in India, where it faces several problems in the payment system and smart television markets.
The company is being investigated in Europe, the United States and elsewhere. This week, South Korea’s antitrust regulator fined Google $ 180 million for blocking Android versions.
India antitrust probe finds out that Google has violated Android rule
Google submitted at least 24 responses during the survey, defending itself and saying it did not harm competition, the report said.
Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O), Amazon.com Inc (AMZN.O), Apple Inc (AAPL.O), and smartphone makers such as Samsung and Xiaomi, were among 62 organizations that answered CCI queries during their Google survey, according to a report. .
The power of Android is 98% of India’s 520 million smartphones, according to Conterpoint Research.
When the CCI ordered the investigation in 2019, it said Google appeared to have released its power to reduce device makers’ ability to select other versions of its mobile system and force them to install Google applications first.
The 750-page report finds premature installation of apps “similar to improper placement of manufacturers” in violation of Indian competition law, while the company acquired the status of its Play Store app to protect its dominance.
Google Play Store’s policies are “one-sided, irrational, incomprehensible, discriminatory and irrational”, while Android has been “enjoying its outstanding position” on licensed applications for smartphones and tablets since 2011, the report said.
The investigation began in 2019 after two partners of Indian junior antitrust and student law filed a complaint, Reuters reported.
India remains a key market for Google’s growth. It said last year it would spend R10 billion in the country over five to seven years on investment and equity, which are its major commitments to a significant growth market.
