Google has settled with the Competition Commission of India (CCI) in a case related to unfair business practices in the Android TV segment. According to reports, as part of the settlement, Google has agreed to pay Rs 20.24 crore to the regulator. This is the first case to be settled under the revised provisions of the Competition Act, which introduced settlement and commitment provisions in 2023. The case stems from a complaint filed in 2021, which led to the CCI launching a detailed investigation. What did Google say in its settlement proposal? In its settlement proposal, Google has agreed to provide a standalone license for the Play Store and Play Services for Android Smart TVs in India. Which eliminated the need to bundle these services or impose default placement conditions. Apart from this, Google will waive the requirement of valid Android Compatibility Commitments (ACC) for devices that are shipped to India without Google apps. Settlement proposal accepted by regulator According to a CCI statement, this will allow Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to sell and manufacture Android devices without violating the Television App Distribution Agreement (TADA). The settlement proposal has been accepted by the regulator.
