INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
cease-and-desist order, suggesting eight corrective measures including providing access to third-party billing payment processing systems on
its Play Store.
The CCI has given 30 days to implement the corrective measures and modify its conduct.
This comes after the CCI imposed a
requires app developers to exclusively use Google Play Billing System (GPBS) for all customer billings.
App developers that do not use GPBS
usage of GPBS for paid apps and in-app purchases constitutes an imposition of unfair conditions on app developers
providers and users by only allowing its payment offer on its app store platform.
This results in denying market access to competing mobile
wallets and apps facilitating payment through the United Payments Interface (UPI).
The CCI noted Google forced app developers to use in-app
payment systems because selling in-app digital goods made an important means for these developers to monetise their work.
The CCI further
highlighted that Google was found to be following discriminatory practices by not using GPBS for its own applications such as YouTube.
Of
eight corrective measures, it directed Google to not impose any condition (including price-related condition) on app developers, which is
transparency in communicating to app developers, services provided, and corresponding fees charged.
Google was also asked to publish its
the commission fee charged by Google, I am of the view that the CCI has taken the correct stand that it is not a price regulator or price
