CCI order in Google case may have financial implications for local developers

The recent order by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) in the Google case may appear developer-friendly, but in practice, it may have a practical and financial impact on the developers, especially the startups, according to legal experts.

The CCI fined Google Rs 936.44 crore on October 25 for abusing its dominant position with regards to its Play Store Billing and payment policy, a few days after the regulator slapped a fine of Rs 1,338 crore for abusing its dominant position in multiple markets with its Android mobile operating system (OS).

According to Gowree Gokhale, Partner, Nishith Desai Associates, from the order, at least, it does not appear that there was enough evidence on the effects of Google’s practises on end consumers and the Android ecosystem.