CCI Google order won’t alter status quo amid lack of alternatives, say experts

New Delhi: The Indian antitrust body’s order last week against Google gives smartphone manufacturers the freedom to choose alternatives to the US tech major’s app ecosystem, but a lack of popular substitutes means it is not going to disturb the status quo for at least some time, say industry insiders and experts.

Google’s Android operating system licensing terms require smartphone makers to pre-install the entire Google Mobile Suite, with no option to uninstall the apps, on the devices. The Competition Commission of India called this practice anti-competitive, saying that it provided Google apps prominent placements in the Android OS and disadvantaged competitors, and imposed a Rs 1,337.76 crore penalty on the company. Google has said it was exploring legal options.