CCI Is Looking To Open An Investigation Against Google For Abusing Its Dominant Position On Android Search

India’s apex competition regulator Competition Commission of India (CCI) is investigating specific claims that Google abused its monopoly in Android to block rivals, reports Reuters.

"It is on the lines of the EU case, but at a preliminary stage," said a source to the news agency.

In July 2018, regulators in the European Union fined Google a record-breaking €4.3 billion ($5 billion) for breaking antitrust laws. The European Commission noted that Google had abused its Android market dominance by bundling its search engine and Chrome apps into the operating system. Android is the world's leading mobile operating system, with more than 80 per cent market share.

“The CCI will have a tough time not initiating a formal investigation into Google given the EU case, unless they can show the problem has been addressed (by remedies)," said another source to Reuters.

Bias In Search

In February 2018, CCI imposed an Rs 136-crore fine on Google for “search bias” and abusing its “dominant position.”

“Google was found to be indulging in practices of search bias and by doing so, it causes harm to its competitors as well as to users. Google was leveraging its dominance in the market for online general web search, to strengthen its position in the market for online syndicate search services,” the Commission noted.

Also Read: GAFA Monopoly: Why Google, Amazon, Facebook And Apple May Need Breaking Up