BENGALURU, Dec 23 (Reuters) – Alphabet’s Google (GOOGL.O) said on Friday it would appeal India’s antitrust watchdog’s decision to order the tech giant to change its approach to its platform. form Android and fined $162 million for anti-competitive practices.
India’s Competition Commission (ICC) said in October that Google had leveraged its dominant position in markets such as online search and the Android app store to protect the position of its apps such as Chrome and Android. YouTube in mobile web browsers and online video hosting.
“We have decided to appeal the ICC ruling on Android, as we believe it presents a major setback for our Indian users and businesses who trust Android’s security features, and potentially increases the cost of mobile devices,” a Google spokesperson said Friday.
Reuters previously reported that the CCI decision worried Google as it sought broader remedies.
About 97% of India’s 600 million devices run Android, according to Counterpoint Research estimates.
“Android has greatly benefited Indian users, developers and OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) and has propelled India’s digital transformation. We look forward to making our case and remain committed to our users and partners,” Google said.
Google has come under increased antitrust scrutiny around the world, including a major setback earlier this year when a European court upheld a 2018 ruling saying it broadly upheld a ruling that the company imposed “unlawful restrictions on manufacturers of Android mobile devices”.
Google also plans to appeal the decision, where it faces a record $4.1 billion fine.
The company has also come under fire for licensing its Android operating system to smartphone readers while signing restrictive anti-competitive agreements.
American tech giant, Android, has created more choices for everyone, and deals like this help keep the operating system free.
Reporting by Anuran Sadhu in Bangalore; Editing by Sohini Goswami
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