Google's Settlement with CCI Over Android TV Case

In a significant development, Google has agreed to settle with the Competition Commission of India (CCI) by paying a penalty of Rs 20.2 crore. This settlement addresses allegations of the tech giant abusing its dominant position in the Android TV market.

Details of the Settlement

The settlement, under Section 48A of the Competition Act, introduces a 'New India Agreement'. This agreement allows for a standalone license for the Play Store and Play Services on Android smart TVs in India, eliminating the need to bundle these services or impose default placement conditions.

Impact on TV Manufacturers

TV companies can now develop and sell incompatible Android devices without violating Google's Television App Distribution Agreement (TADA), thanks to the waiver of the Android Compatibility Commitment (ACC) requirement for devices shipped into India without Google apps.

Background of the Case

The case was initiated by Kshitiz Arya and Purushottam Anand, who accused Google of enforcing restrictive agreements on TV makers, leveraging its dominant position.