Google Moves Karnataka HC Against CCI’s Probe Into Play Store Rules

New Delhi: Amid the rising debate over its Play Retailer guidelines, Google on Monday filed a writ within the Karnataka Excessive Courtroom, asking for extra time to answer to the anti-trust investigation by the Competitors Fee of India (CCI).

The plea for interim reduction was filed by the Alliance of Digital India Basis (ADIF) within the CCI this October.

Google, in its writ petition, argued that there’s “no urgency citing the extension of their Play Retailer coverage deadline”.

The ADIF termed this growth and motion by Google yet one more delay tactic. “This authorized problem by Google is yet one more delay tactic and an try and frustrate the antitrust course of. It additionally calls into query their good religion,” mentioned Sijo Kuruvilla George, Government Director, ADIF.

“The one commitments which were constant on the a part of Google all through this complete antitrust course of has been their dedication to a) delay the method in each approach potential and b) shield their tremendous income from the app economic system abusing its dominance,” he mentioned in an announcement.

Google mentioned earlier this month that it’s extending the timeline for builders in India from March 31, 2022 to October 31, 2022 to assist them higher combine with Play Retailer’s billing system.

ADVERTISEMENT

In October final 12 months, Google had introduced a timeline extension for builders in India to combine with the Play billing system to make sure they’ve sufficient time to implement the UPI for subscription cost possibility on Google Play.

“We recognise the distinctive wants of the developer ecosystem in India and stay dedicated to partnering with builders in India on their development journey,” a Google spokesperson had mentioned in an announcement.

George mentioned that the ADIF “exhorts Google to adjust to the antitrust course of in good religion and as per the directives of the CCI”.

“The prayer of the interim problem is for upkeep of established order till the CCI antitrust investigation is full and verdict is out. It needs to be famous that Google has made three main revisions associated to play retailer billing coverage in simply the final 3 months – none of which addresses the underlying challenge and all of which aimed toward irritating and delaying the antitrust course of,” the ADIF argued.

Google’s refusal to share data and frustrate the anti-trust investigation course of on one facet and its makes an attempt to maintain making modifications to their PlayStore billing on the opposite facet reeks of vanity & abuse of dominance — making the plea for interim reduction all of the extra prescient and pressing, the muse mentioned.