The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has imposed a huge fine of Rs. 1337 crores upon Google for having abused its dominant position in the tech market by various methodologies and the primary concern is the mandatory installation of Google apps on Android phones which cannot even be uninstalled by Android users.
Googles Stand in its Legal Battle
Google appealed before the NCLAT regarding the action of the CCI and the NCLAT rejected Google’s plea and upheld the decision of the CCI. Further, Google appealed before the Supreme Court and the matter has been listed for hearing on 16th February 2023 (Monday).Google’s StandThe arguments put up by Google against the decision of the CCI are as follows:
Google says that any restrictions upon the current functioning of the Android phones regarding apps will only increase the cost of application developers in developing and advertising their apps on Play Store.
Almost 97% of the phones used in India operate on Android OS and restrictions imposed on Google, if implemented will halt the growth of Android in the country.
Google also contends that there will be huge loss of customer satisfaction and lack of ease of phone surfing if any new norms are implemented such as removal of mandatory Google search engines or Google Chrome.
Google defends the mandatory installation of its Youtube by contending that the alternative apps to Youtube hardly provide free services, thus, although the streaming platform might look monopolized by Google, it is in the best interest of the masses. The portion of the audience which can afford other services are already using paid subscriptions such as Hotstar and Amazon Prime.
Google has also questioned the credibility of the CCI in the investigation conducted. It alleges that the investigation was not fair and equitable. Moreover, no other credible competitor of Google in the market has ever reported any matter to the CCI for it to take action against the tech giant, Google.
Regarding the issue of Google entering into self- serving contracts with smaller Companies, app developers and device manufacturers, Google has expressed that these contracts only help in keeping the system of Android completely free for all users, otherwise phone users would have to pay for using Android as well.
Googles Stand in its Legal Battle-Googles Stand in its Legal Battle
ConclusionAlthough Google is indeed a monopoly in the tech market, many of the services which are easily available to the masses presently might be at stake with restrictions being imposed on Google. Under such circumstances, the outcome of the hearing before the Supreme Court on Monday, becomes a matter of curiosity and common concern.Do visit our website for such more news, facts, article where we share The True Stories of The World, The TopStoriesWorld.Com