The Aryavarth Express
Agency (New Delhi/Bengaluru): In an ongoing dispute with local startups over its in-app billing system, India’s antitrust body, the Competition Commission of India (CCI), has ordered a probe into Alphabet Inc’s Google (GOOGL.O).
The CCI said that Google is implementing its policies in a “discriminatory manner”, directing its investigation unit to complete the probe within 60 days.
The dispute centers around the fee Google charges for in-app payments, which has been a point of contention for Indian startups. Earlier this month, Google removed more than 100 Indian apps from its app store for violations related to billing, though it later restored them after the Indian government intervened.
The startups had approached the CCI, asking the watchdog to look into the matter. The CCI’s move comes after it had already spent months examining the startups’ complaint that Google is not following an earlier antitrust directive that prevents the tech giant from taking adverse measures against companies that use alternate billing systems.
Google denies any wrongdoing, stating that it charges the fee to support investments in the Google Play app store and the Android mobile operating system, ensuring that the system is distributed for free.
The dispute highlights the ongoing tensions between global tech giants and local startups in India, as the country seeks to foster a more equitable and competitive digital ecosystem. The outcome of the CCI’s probe will be closely watched, as it could have significant implications for the way Google and other platforms operate in the Indian market.