Google pays Rs 20.24 crore to settle Android TV case with Competition Commission of India

Google has reached a settlement with the Competition Commission of India (CCI) regarding allegations of unfair business practices in the Android TV sector, agreeing to pay Rs 20.24 crore to the regulator. This comes after the company has been convicted of dominating the advertising technology market. The recent case marks the first settlement under the amended Competition Act, which introduced provisions for settlements and commitments in 2023. Following a complaint, the CCI ordered a thorough investigation in 2021. Eventually, Google proposed to settle the case, prompting the CCI to review the settlement offer. As part of the "New India Agreement," Google will now provide a standalone license for the Play Store and Play Services specifically for Android smart TVs in India. This change eliminates the requirement to bundle these services or enforce default placement conditions, as stated in a press release on Monday.

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