Google has reached a settlement with the Competition Commission of India (CCI) in a case concerning alleged unfair business practices within the Android TV segment. The tech giant has paid a settlement amount of Rs 20.24 crore to the regulatory body.
First case settled
This marks the first instance of a case being settled under the amended Competition Act, which introduced provisions for settlement and commitment in 2023. The CCI initiated a detailed investigation in 2021 following a complaint.
Subsequently, Google proposed a settlement, which the CCI considered. According to an official release on Monday, under the “New India Agreement,” Google will now offer standalone licenses for the Play Store and Play Services for Android smart TVs in India. This removes the previous requirement to bundle these services or impose default placement conditions on original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).
Google to remove ACC
Furthermore, Google will waive the necessity for valid Android Compatibility Commitments (ACC) for devices shipped to India that do not include Google applications. This will enable OEMs to sell and develop Android devices that may not be compatible with Google’s ecosystem without violating the Television App Distribution Agreement (TADA).
The CCI has officially accepted Google’s settlement proposal, bringing an end to the nearly four-year-old case. This development signifies a potential shift in how such competition-related issues are resolved in India, leveraging the new settlement provisions in the amended Competition Act for quicker resolutions.
(With PTI Inputs)
