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6d ago

Google Resolves Android TV Antitrust Case in India with Settlement and Licensing Reforms

The tech giant agrees to unbundle services, waive restrictive agreements, and pay over Rs 20 crore in fines and penalties under India's amended Competition Act.

As part of the resolution, Google proposed changes to its vendor agreements to address the CCI’s concerns and received a 15% discount on the settlement amount.
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Overview

  • Google has settled a four-year antitrust case with the Competition Commission of India (CCI) by paying Rs 20.24 crore and a $2.38 million penalty.
  • This marks the first resolution under India's amended Competition Act, which introduced settlement and commitment provisions in 2023.
  • Under the 'New India Agreement,' Google will offer standalone licenses for Play Store and Play Services, ending mandatory bundling on Android Smart TVs.
  • The settlement allows OEMs to ship devices with alternative operating systems or Android forks without violating Google's previous contractual restrictions.
  • Consumers will now need to verify the operating system and app store on smart TVs, as manufacturers are no longer required to pre-install Google's services.