On February 9, Epic Games, the maker of the popular video game “Fortnite,” claimed in a New Delhi court that Google has not complied with a part of the CCI directive, which requires Google to host third-party app stores on Play Store and allow apps to be downloaded freely without using Play Store, a practice called “sideloading.” Epic claims that Google’s practice makes it impossible for them to be downloaded in other ways.
- Last month, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) ruled that Google should make changes to its business model for Android.
- The CCI fined Google $161.9 million.
- This decision changes the way applications are distributed across the enterprise.
- Epic accuses Google of not complying with the CCI definitions
Epic has already fought a court battle against Apple over the App Store’s high fees and restricted payment methods. The company claims in the filing it is “exploring launching” the Games Store app on Google Play Store and has been “adversely affected” by Google not complying with the CCI order.
Google has submitted its “compliance plan to the CCI and continues to respectfully follow the legal process in India,” according to a statement from the company.
India fines Google $161.9 million for anti-competitive demands
Google has been fined $161.9 million by the Competition Commission of India for its anti-competitive practices regarding Android devices. The regulator has accused Google of exploiting its dominant position in smartphones and requiring manufacturers to restrict the pre-installation of applications. This decision will compel the company to alter the model for making applications available in the operating system.
Google has been facing several legal issues in India. Last year, after losing a legal fight with the Competition Commission of India, Google said it would make changes to its Android business model, including stopping the practice of forcing device makers to pre-install a suite of Google apps such as YouTube or Chrome.
Bakari Middleton, Director of Global Public Policy at Epic Games, has stated that they are seeking to join Indian developers in court to support the CCI’s order that requires Google to allow competing for third-party app stores. Epic has 9.5 million users in India, and it is known for campaigns against Apple and Google for charging high app store commissions.
The legal battle between Epic and Google in India is the latest development in the ongoing conflict between technology companies and regulators worldwide. Google has been facing antitrust probes in several countries, including the United States and Europe, and it has been accused of abusing its dominance in the online advertising industry. The outcome of the legal battle between Epic and Google in India could set a precedent for how regulators worldwide deal with anti-competitive practices in the technology industry.
