New Delhi: Minister of State IT Minister Rajeev Chandrashekhar has declared that the Centre is forward planning to take strict action against Alphabet Inc’s Google. As reported by an antitrust watchdog, Google has been accused of committing malpractice, indulging in anti-competitive practices through abusing its leadership position in the market.
Action against Google
The competition commission of India in October charged $275 million from Google with respect to two cases, the first involving where Google abused its ruling position in the Android operating system, and the second where it pushed developers to use its in-app payment system.
The Federal Deputy Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar who looks after information technology told Reuters during an interview at the IT Ministry in New Delhi that such findings are “serious” and cause “deep concern” to India’s federal government, which will take individual action against Google.
“The ministry has to take action, We have thought through it. You will see it in the coming weeks. Certainly, it’s not something that we will leave and push under the carpet,” Chandrasekhar said.
Action taken
However, the minister refused to let us know what kind of policy or regulatory action the Centre could take.
Chandrashekhar further also denoted the issue as, ” worrisome, not just for us, it’s worrisome for the entire digital ecosystem in India.”
Google did not answer a request for comment on the minister’s remarks. Minister was asked if he had talked to Google pertaining to this issue, Chandrasekhar said, “There is no need for any discussion. There is a finding of a court.”
India’s antitrust body has also begun another probe into Google after Tinder owner Match Group (MTCH.O) and several other startups alleged that a new service fee system that Google uses for in-app payments breaches the Competition Commission’s October decision.
Obeying the Android Antitrust order in India, Google had to make Sweeping changes to the way it markets its mobile operating system in India, even after it warned: “no other jurisdiction has ever asked for such far-reaching changes.”
Chandrasekhar said that the government is determined to take steps to ensure the safety of India’s digital economy and added, “We don’t want it to be growth in a way that distorts consumer choice or free competition.”
Adding more the minister said, “We will certainly be looking into what the government needs to do to prevent anybody, including but not limited to Google, from abusing their market power or market dominance.”
