The CCI has launched a fresh probe against Google

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has opened an antitrust investigation into Google’s alleged monopoly in the Indian Smart TV market with its Android operating system. According to the competition commission, Google’s Android OS has a 90% market share in the smart TV area, which violates competition laws in the country.

In a ruling issued on Tuesday, the regulator directed the Director General of CCI, the regulator’s investigative arm, to conclude the investigation within 60 days and to consider Google’s arguments as well as the informants who had filed the plea agreement.

In a ruling issued on Tuesday, the regulator directed the Director General of CCI, the regulator’s investigative arm, to conclude the investigation within 60 days and to take into account Google’s arguments as well as the informants who had submitted the plea. “At this time, these factors are sufficient to indicate the level of Google’s market strength, and the Commission is of the prima facie opinion that Google is dominant in the relevant market for licensable smart TV device operating systems in India,” according to CCI.

It went on to say that Google’s Android OS, which has a 90 percent market share in India’s smart TV industry, has hampered competitors and prohibited further technological development and innovation, in violation of Sections 3 and 4 of the Competition Act. Anti-competitive agreements are dealt with in Section 3, whereas corporate abuse of a dominating position is dealt with in Section 4.

The charges that CCI was preventing TV manufacturers from engaging into any deals with other OS providers merited further examination, according to CCI. It also shot down Google’s allegations that it faces stiff competition in the smart TV market, where OTT is also available via several channels, firesticks, and other connected devices.

The regulator has accused Google of entering into exclusive and restrictive agreements with Android TV manufacturers in order to ensure that its playstore and numerous apps are pre-installed on the TVs. The agreements with the smart TV manufacturers, according to Google, are voluntary. It went on to say that a number of companies, including Samsung and LG, have announced OS launches in India, increasing competitiveness.