In tech companies’ challenge to Google’s Play Store Billing policy in relation to in-app purchases and paid apps, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) has prima facie found a violation of Section 4 of the Competition Act and directed an investigation by the Director General under Section 26(1) of the Act.
The order passed by CCI Chairperson Ravneet Kaur alongwith Members Anil Agrawal, Sweta Kakkad and Deepak Anurag says: “the Commission is of the prima facie view that Google has violated the provisions of Section 4(2)(a), 4(2)(b) and 4(2)(c) of the Act, as elaborated supra which warrants detailed investigation.”
Informants’ case
The Informants in the case were People Interactive India Private Limited (operator of Shaadi.com and Sangam.com), Mebigo Labs Private Limited (owner of Kuku FM), Indian Broadcasting and Digital Foundation & Indian Digital Media Industry Foundation (operators/managers of websites/applications relating to television, digital media industries). They approached the CCI against Google’s updated payment policy in relation to its proprietary app store (ie Google Play Store), alleging that it wasabusing its dominant position in the relevant market in violation of Section 4 of the Act.