Google's claims on complying with the CCI's directives nothing more than an attempt to put a veil over anti-competitive practices

ADIF, as the voice of Indian startups, has tried to dig deeper and analyse Google’s recently shared blogpost (dated 25 Jan 2023) on complying with the CCI directions. It has found that Google is non-complying with many of the CCI remedies, as detailed below:

Google Play Store Billing Case

Google has made available the alternative payments limited only to purchase of in-app digital content and not app downloads. Though Google has allowed third-party payments through ‘User Choice billing system’, Google would be imposing price-related conditions (through charging commission) on app developers, which is unfair, unreasonable and discriminatory. Also, Google is silent on multiple CCI remedies shared in its verdict, relating to ‘non-imposition of Anti-steering Provisions on app developers’, ‘having a clear and transparent policy on data that is collected on its platform, its usage & the potential sharing with app developers’ and the data so collected not to be leveraged by Google to further its competitive advantage’.

Google Android Bundling case

As per the details shared by Google on its blogpost, it does not address the issue of freedom to be given to OEMs for placement of apps. Also, the blogpost does not give any clarity on whether users will be able to easily change the default settings in their devices, multiple times with ease. Google has not given any assurance that it will not continue showcasing multiple security warnings which would discourage an average user from downloading any app through side loading. Further, the blogpost has not stated that Google will not impose AFA and ACC obligations on OEMs, though it mentions updating the Android compatibility requirements. Also, Google is silent on multiple CCI remedies shared in its verdict, relating to ‘not denying access to its Play Services APIs to disadvantage OEMs, app developers and its existing or potential competitors’, ‘not offering any monetary/ other incentives to, or enter into any arrangement with, OEMs for ensuring exclusivity for its search services or not selling smart devices based on Android forks’ and ‘not restricting un-installing of its pre-installed apps by the users.’