India Antitrust Watchdog Probes Google Over Android Market Dominance
India's competition regulator launches an investigation into Google following allegations that the tech giant abuses its Android dominance to stifle local rivals. The complaint originates from two current associates and a former intern of the watchdog.
India's Competition Commission orders a formal investigation into Google over allegations that the company abuses its dominant Android operating system to suppress local competition. A newly public document reveals that two current commission associates and a former intern file the complaint, putting an end to widespread industry speculation about the source of the legal action. The case targets both Google's global unit and its Indian arm.
The primary accusation claims that Google forces smartphone and tablet manufacturers to pre-install its own applications if they want access to the full version of Android. Google controls over 98% of the Indian smartphone market, making this a significant concern for local regulators. However, Google clarifies that vendors can use a bare version of Android without pre-installing Google apps, though doing so means losing access to the Google Play Store.
A second allegation asserts that Google illegally bundles its services so they interact exclusively with one another, thereby blocking rival applications from gaining market access. This claim appears factually inconsistent with how the Android operating system functions, as standard APIs allow most Android apps to communicate seamlessly. The investigation continues as regulators evaluate these complex technical and market dynamics.