CCI finds Google’s Play Store Payments Policy Unfair

CCI finds Google’s Play Store Payments Policy Unfair
Photo: pixabay.com 04.04.2022 842

The Indian regulator suspects Google of violating antitrust laws. 

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) on Friday released early findings of an investigation into Google’s app store and its payment system, Google Pay. As Bloomberg reported, it found that Google’s Play Store billing system for app developers is “unfair and discriminatory”.

Google charges developers a 15-30% commission on digital content sales on the Play Store. But  in 2020, after facing a severe backlash from India's startup community, Google decided to delay enforcing its 30% commission for app developers in India  to March 2022 and then to October 2022.

As Engadget notes, of particular concern in India is whether Google Pay will undercut rival payment apps. Google Pay, PhonePe and Paytm have become the most popular way for Indians to make payments online. Critics have alleged that Google’s control of the Play Store and the Android operating system gives it an unfair amount of control over India's digital payment ecosystem.

The regulator also examined allegations that Google manipulated search results to Google Pay.

Further hearings on the findings of the probe will begin shortly, the sources said. Google will then have a chance to present its argument, following which a verdict will be given. 

Source: The Economic Times, Engadget

digital markets  India 

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