CCI Approves ₹20.24 Crore Settlement with Google in Android TV Antitrust Case

The Competition Commission of India (CCI), in a majority decision, has accepted the settlement proposal submitted by Google in connection with its conduct in the Android TV operating system market. This settlement was processed under Section 48A(3) of the Competition Act, 2002, and the recently notified Competition Commission of India (Settlement) Regulations, 2024.

The case was initiated based on information provided by 2 individuals—Mr Kshitiz Arya and Mr Purushottam Anand—who alleged that Google was engaging in anti-competitive practices in its dealings with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) such as Xiaomi and TCL.

Allegations Against Google

The central allegation was that Google abused its dominant position by imposing restrictive conditions on OEMs. These included:

• Compulsory bundling of the Google Play Store with Android TV OS.

• Restrictions via Anti-Fragmentation Agreements (AFAs) that barred OEMs from creating or adopting forked versions of Android.

• Obligatory bundling of additional Google services like YouTube, which allegedly limited OEM flexibility and innovation.

Such practices were claimed to limit market access, reduce consumer choice, and stifle innovation—allegedly violating Section 4 of the Competition Act.

Investigation Findings

The CCI’s investigation found that:

• Android TV OS held a dominant position in the market for licensable smart TV operating systems in India.

• The Google Play Store also held dominance in the market for app stores catering to Android TV OS in India.

Agreements such as the Television App Distribution Agreement (TADA) and Android Compatibility Commitments (ACC) were seen as working together to:

• Force pre-installation of full app bundles (Google TV Services).

• Prevent the development of Android forks.

• Tie services (like YouTube) with the Play Store, reinforcing Google’s market dominance.

While no evidence substantiated claims of refusal to deal or exclusive supply under Section 3(4), violations of Section 4 were confirmed.

Google’s Settlement Proposal

To address the findings, Google submitted a settlement application under Section 48A of the Act. The CCI invited feedback from 45 affected stakeholders under Regulation 5 of the Settlement Regulations.

Key proposals by Google under the “New India Agreement” include:

• Providing standalone licensing for the Play Store and Play Services—no longer bundled or tied with other services.

• Eliminating the requirement for OEMs to have a valid ACC for devices that do not include Google apps, thereby allowing them to ship incompatible Android devices in India.

These changes are expected to enhance OEM flexibility and promote fair competition in the smart TV ecosystem.

Read More: CCI Clears Merger of Quality Care India with Aster DM Healthcare.

Conclusion

After assessing the gravity and impact of the contraventions, the CCI approved the settlement. The Final Settlement Amount was set at ₹20.24 crore, after applying a 15% settlement discount as permitted under the regulations.

This marks a significant step in India’s antitrust oversight, aiming to ensure greater transparency and competitive neutrality in digital markets.

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