Google Urges India's Supreme Court to Quash Antitrust Directives in Android Market Abuse Case
Updated: Jan 5
Google appeals to India's top court to overturn antitrust orders, contesting allegations of market dominance in crucial Indian market.
Google has sought India's Supreme Court intervention to dismiss antitrust directives targeting its alleged abuse of the Android market, according to sources familiar with the matter. The tech giant continues its legal battle against the country's competition watchdog, challenging significant orders in one of its key markets.
In October, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) accused Google, whose Android system commands a 97% market share among 600 million smartphones in the country, of leveraging its dominant position. The CCI demanded the removal of restrictions imposed on device manufacturers and imposed a $163 million fine on the US company, which was duly paid.
In March, an Indian tribunal provided partial relief to Google's parent company, Alphabet Inc, by setting aside four out of the ten directives initially issued.
While upholding CCI's findings of anti-competitive conduct by Google, the tribunal relieved the company by quashing certain directives that compelled it to alter its business model.
According to a reliable source, Google is now seeking the Supreme Court's intervention to nullify the remaining directives. Additionally, Google argues in its filing, made on Monday, that it has not abused its market position and should not be liable to pay any penalties. Google issued a statement confirming the filing and expressed anticipation in presenting its case, highlighting the benefits of Android for users and developers.
Google contends that the Indian tribunal did not require authorities to demonstrate harm caused by anti-competitive behavior for some of CCI's Android directives, which underpins its latest legal challenge.
The Supreme Court challenge by Google has not been previously reported.
Meanwhile, the CCI has approached the Supreme Court to overturn the tribunal's decision on providing partial relief to Google, as per a third source. However, the CCI has not responded to requests for comment.
For Google, the stakes are high in India, given the wide-ranging impact of the Android decision. The directives issued were perceived as more far-reaching than those imposed by the European Commission in its landmark 2018 ruling against the operating system. In response to the directive, Google has already implemented significant changes to Android in India, such as allowing device manufacturers to license individual apps for pre-installation.
Google seeks Supreme Court intervention to overturn antitrust directives related to the Android market in India.
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) accused Google of leveraging its dominant position.
An Indian tribunal provided partial relief to Google by setting aside four out of ten directives.