Google has filed a writ case in the Karnataka High Court, requesting extra time to respond to the Competition Commission of India’s inquiries into its Play store guidelines.
The firm has stated that because it has unilaterally delayed the adoption of its current Play Store policy in India until October 31, 2022, there is no “urgency” in the case. According to sources, the corporation has also requested the nomination of a judicial member to the panel investigating the incident, as well as the identity of the complainant, in order for the company to reply effectively.
In October, the Alliance of Digital India Foundation (ADIF) petitioned the CCI for interim relief. According to insiders, the antitrust regulator was pressuring Google to respond to its inquiries by December 31. The Indian Competition Commission had previously requested a response from Google by November 19. The US corporation has requested an extension of eight weeks to respond.
“We have filed a petition in Karnataka High Court in response to the CCI’s temporary relief plea in the Google Play investigation, asking to proceed in accordance with established due process norms. We respect the CCI’s inquiry process and will continue to work amicably and constructively to ensure a fair investigation “ET was told by a Google official.
Google announced earlier this month that it is giving developers an additional six months to comply with the revised policy for Play Store purchases, as it seeks to combat strident opposition from Indian internet startups who have labeled the technology giant’s payment policies anti-competitive and monopolistic.
The regulation, which will go into effect on October 31, 2022, would “enable developers in India with the necessary product support for recurring payments,” according to the central bank.
According to various sources familiar with the situation, India’s anti-trust commission, which is probing charges of market domination leveled against technology giant Google’s Playstore regulations, has commenced in-person depositions from a bevy of local internet businesses.
The Competition Commission of India (CCI), which is investigating allegations that Google charges app developers a “hefty” commission, is seeking comments from companies such as edtech unicorn Unacademy, dating apps TrulyMadly and Tinder, matrimony sites such as Shaadi.com and BharatMatrimony, as well as a few OTT platforms and online gaming ventures.
Since June, CCI has invited nearly two dozen entrepreneurs to explain how the American company’s app store policy affects their operations and whether Android, which runs on 98 percent of smartphones in India, has a dominant position in five important industries, including dating, gaming, edtech, OTT, and wedding.
Since June, CCI has invited nearly two dozen entrepreneurs to explain how the American company’s app store policy affects their operations and whether Android, which runs on 98 percent of smartphones in India, has a dominant position in five important industries, including dating, gaming, edtech, OTT, and wedding.
