After EU, Google Now Accused of Android Dominance Abuse in India

Android is the most popular operating system in India and Google will have to clear its stand on the matter.

Android Marshmallow (latest android OS) replica in front of Google office. 

(Photo: iStockphoto)

After facing a heavy penalty for abusing its market leadership with Android in Europe, Google is now set to face similar charges in India.

According to a Reuters report, the search giant has come under the scrutiny of India's antitrust commission, and sources have said its control over pre-installing Google Search and Chrome browser is also part of the accusations laid out.

European Union (EU) regulators have already hit Google with a record 4.34 billion euros ($5 billion) antitrust fine in 2018 for using its Android mobile operating system to squeeze out rivals.

Now, the company faces a similar penalty if the reviewing bench at the Competition Commission of India (CCI) finds similar issues with its strategy in the country.

The CCI, Reuters sources add, has been reviewing the case against Google for the past six months and Google has challenged the order.

The case regarding Android, which runs on more than 90 percent of the India’s smartphones according to latest research report, is the most important case out of a trio of antitrust cases against Google, and its position in India could bear huge consequence if the committee finds the company guilty.

And considering Android is a market leader in India, the penalty could easily surpass the fine of 4.34 billion euro ($5 billion) which was imposed on Google by the EU.

If in case there is a penalty, it is possible that Google, just like how it has done for the European markets, starts charging phone makers for installing its specific suite of apps like Google Chrome, Play Store and even Google Search. This, at the end of the day could result in price hike of devices for the end consumer.