Chennai-based online matchmaking company Matrimony.com on Friday said its contention was to ensure that American search engine giant Google does not abuse its scale and other advantages to the detriment of the Indian internet ecosystem and customers at large. The company said it was still fighting a case against Google to prevent the abuse of trademark. Acting on a complaint by Matrimony.com, fair trade watchdog Competition Commission of India (CCI) on Thursday had imposed a fine of Rs 135.86 crore on Google for abusing its dominant position in online general web search and web search advertising services in India. The order was passed in response to informations filed by Matrimony.com and the Consumer Unity & Trust Society in 2012. Murugavel Janakiraman, founder & CEO, Matrimony.com, said: “The CCI’s order is a shot in the arm for the Digital India initiative and will encourage the Indian internet ecosystem, in particular online start-ups. This order is significant as the CCI recognises that Google is the gatekeeper to the internet and has a special responsibility to ensure a level playing field.”
When contacted, a Google spokesperson told FE: “We have always focused on innovating to support the evolving needs of our users. The Competition Commission of India has confirmed that on the majority of issues it examined, our conduct complies with Indian competition laws. We are reviewing the narrow concerns identified by the commission and will assess our next steps.” Matrimony.com said the CCI has found that Google has engaged in search bias and in privileging its own flight verticals. This has wide ranging ramifications on Google’s treatment of its other verticals as well.
The investigation by the CCI revealed many other abuses by Google, some of which were also found by the staff at the US FTC and relate to issues where corrective measures were undertaken by Google in the US and commitments offered in Europe. The CCI did not agree with its investigative arm on some of this issues. “We are reviewing the order in greater detail and will assess our next steps,” Janakiraman said.
