The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) has directed Google to deposit 10% of the total penalty of Rs 1,337.76 crore imposed by Competition Commission of India (CCI) over alleged violations in the Android mobile ecosystem.
Along with 10% of the total amount, Google will have to take a series of measures directed by CCI, like pre-installation of Google apps on Android phones may not be allowed. The decision comes after Google challenged the CCI order on the tech giant abusing its dominant position in multiple markets in the Android mobile device ecosystem, saying the verdict is a setback for Indian users and will make such devices more expensive in the country.
However, the panel declined to grant any immediate stay the operations of CCI penalty and said it would pass any order after hearing out other parties. The panel said, “We are of the opinion that at the moment given the voluminous nature of the appeal, there is no need to pass any interim order.”
In October last year, the CCI slapped a penalty of Rs 1,337.76 crore on Google for anti-competitive practices in relation to Android mobile devices. CCI had also ordered the internet major to cease and desist from various unfair business practices. CCI had also imposed non-monetary sanctions on Google for allegedly “abusing” its dominant position in several Android markets. It also directed the tech giant to “modify its conduct”.
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