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☆ India antitrust agency raids some steel firms for alleged price collusion-sources
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-17 | by ( Aditya Kalra | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MUMBAI, Dec 17 (Reuters) - India's antitrust watchdog is raiding offices of small-scale steel companies for alleged price collusion of steel products used in construction, two sources with direct knowledge told Reuters. Among those raided were Rungta Steel and Shyam Steel, the sources said, as officials from the Competition Commission of India (CCI) conducted searches in states of West Bengal, Punjab, Tamil Nadu and Indian capital New Delhi on Saturday. In all around eight to nine offices of steel companies were searched, though names of other firms raided were not immediately clear. The CCI does not disclose any details publicly of its raid operations or cases related to alleged price collusion. Shyam Steel is a 30 billion Indian rupees ($362.73 million) group which manufactures several steel products.

REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/IllustrationNEW DELHI, Nov 1 (Reuters) - Alphabet Inc's (GOOGL.O) Google is pausing the enforcement of a policy that requires app developers in India to use its proprietary billing system for selling digital goods, following a ruling by the country's antitrust body. Google had previously set an extended deadline of Oct. 31 for developers in India to integrate apps with its Google Play billing system, which collects a commission that ranges from 15%-30% for each sale. The Competition Commission of India (CCI), however, ordered Google last week not to restrict app developers from using third-party billing or payment processing services in India, while fining it $113 million. In a website update to developers on Tuesday, Google said the requirement to use its billing system still applied for users outside the country, adding it was reviewing legal options in India. Google on its part has begun to allow alternative payment systems in countries including India on a pilot basis, charging lower commissions.

☆ Google pauses enforcement of in-house billing system in India on antitrust directive
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] A Huawei smartphone is seen in front of displayed Google Play logo in this illustration taken May 20, 2019. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/IllustrationBENGALURU, Nov 1 (Reuters) - Alphabet Inc's (GOOGL.O) Google is pausing its policy that requires app developers to use its Google Play billing system for buying digital goods and services in India, following a ruling by the country's antitrust body. Google had previously set an extended deadline of Oct. 31 for developers in India to comply with its payments policy. The search engine giant should not restrict app developers from using third-party billing or payment processing services in India, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) said last week, also fining Google $113 million. The blog said the requirement to use its billing system still applies for users outside of the country.

The rulings come as Google faces increased antitrust scrutiny across the world. Google plans to appeal the decision, where it faces a record $4.1 billion fine. The Competition Commission of India's (CCI) Android ruling, despite involving a smaller $162 million fine, has worried Google since it seeks wider ranging remedial measures, three sources aware of company's thinking said. Google has faced criticism globally that it licenses its Android operating system to smartphones players but signs restrictive agreements that are anti-competitive. The order "will give rise to more choice and innovation for Indian developers," Indus said this week.

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) said Google (GOOGL.O) used its "dominant position" to force app developers to use its in-app payment system, noting the sale of in-app digital goods is a key means for developers to monetize their work. Google should ensure complete transparency in communicating with app developers and details about service fees charged, the CCI added. The investigation into Google's payment ecosystem was started in 2020, after an antitrust case was filed against Google. "The CCI order directing Google to allow alternate payment processing systems will remove the artificial barrier that Google had erected," Chopra said, declining to disclose the name of the complainant for whom he had filed the case. Of late, Google has begun to allow alternative payment systems in more countries.

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) said Google (GOOGL.O) used its "dominant position" to force app developers to use its in-app payment system, noting the sale of in-app digital goods is a key means for developers to monetize their work. Google should ensure complete transparency in communicating with app developers and details about service fees charged, the CCI order added. The investigation into Google's payment ecosystem was started in 2020, after an antitrust case was filed against Google. "The CCI order directing Google to allow alternate payment processing systems will remove the artificial barrier that Google had erected," Chopra said, declining to disclose the name of the complainant for whom he had filed the case. Of late, Google has begun to allow alternative payment systems in more countries.

☆ India fines Google $113 mln in second antitrust penalty this month
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) said Google forced app developers to use its in-app payment system, noting selling of in-app digital goods makes up an important means for developers to monetize their work. Google is also facing a separate probe into its business conduct in the Indian smart TV market. "The Commission hereby directs Google to cease and desist from indulging in anti-competitive practices," CCI said in a statement on Tuesday. It said Google should not restrict app developers from using any third-party billing or payment processing services, either for in-app purchases or for purchasing apps. Google has faced criticism globally for mandating that software developers using its app store must use a proprietary in-app payment system that charges commissions of up to 30% on purchases made within an app.

☆ Indian regulators hit Google with $162 million fine over anticompetitive practices
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-21 | by ( Swati Gupta | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New Delhi CNN Business —Google is facing the heat in India. The country’s antitrust regulator has imposed a penalty of approximately 13.4 billion rupees ($162 million) on Alphabet Inc’s Google for abusing its “dominant position in multiple markets in the Android mobile device ecosystem.”The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has asked Google to modify its conduct in relation to anti-competitive practices. Google has been pouring some serious cash into India, which is a key overseas market for American tech firms. The world’s second most populous country has 750 million internet users, and millions more are expected to come online in the future. In 2020, Google said it was planning to invest $10 billion in India as part of plans to make the internet “affordable and useful” for a billion people.

☆ Google calls India antitrust watchdog's Android decision a "setback" for consumers
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A man walks past the sign of "Google for India", the company's annual technology event in New Delhi, India, September 19, 2019. REUTERS/Sankalp PhartiyalBENGALURU, Oct 21 (Reuters) - Alphabet Inc's (GOOGL.O) Google said on Friday that the Indian antitrust watchdog's decision to fine it 13.38 billion Indian rupees ($161.95 million) for anti-competitive practices was a "major setback" for consumers and businesses in the country. read moreBesides the fine, the CCI also ordered Google to change its approach to its Android platform and restricted it from certain revenue sharing agreements with smartphone makers. "The CCI's decision is a major setback for Indian consumers and businesses, opening serious security risks for Indians who trust Android's security features, and raising the cost of mobile devices for Indians." Google said it will review the decision to evaluate next steps.

The U.S. company is facing a series of antitrust cases and the tightening of existing tech-sector regulations in India. The competition watchdog is separately looking in to Google's business conduct in the smart TV market and its in-app payments system. The Android-related probe, started in 2019, was sparked by a complaint from two junior Indian antitrust research associates and a law school student. Google was ordered by India on Thursday not to restrict smartphone users from uninstalling its pre-installed apps like Google Maps and Gmail. Google's Android operating system powers 97% of India's 600 million smartphones, according to Counterpoint Research.

☆ India competition regulator fines Google $161.95 mln for anti-competitive practices
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BENGALURU, Oct 20 (Reuters) - India's competition regulator said on Thursday it has fined Alphabet Inc's (GOOGL.O) Google 13.38 billion Indian rupees ($161.95 million) for anti-competitive practices related to Android mobile devices. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) also ordered Google not to offer any incentives to smartphone makers for exclusively carrying its search services. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterGoogle is facing a series of antitrust cases in India and stricter tech-sector regulations. India's competition watchdog is also looking into Google's business conduct in the smart TVs market and its in-app payments system. Google's Android operating system powers 97% of India's 600 million smartphones, according to Counterpoint Research.

☆ India regulator fines MakeMyTrip, Oyo for anti-competitive conduct
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BENGALURU, Oct 19 (Reuters) - India's competition regulator said on Wednesday that it had fined online hotel-booking companies MakeMyTrip Ltd (MMYT.O) and Goibibo and IPO-bound hotel chain Oyo a combined $47 million for anti-competitive behaviour. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has been investigating the companies since 2019 following allegations by a hotel body that MakeMyTrip gave special treatment to SoftBank-backed (9984.T) Oyo on its platform. The CCI has directed MakeMyTrip and Goibibo (MMT-Go) to amend their market behaviour after fining them about $27 million. The FHRAI had also alleged that Oyo and MakeMyTrip were hurting competition by offering deep discounts and charging "exorbitant" fees from hotels. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Chris Thomas in Bengaluru; Editing by Arun Koyyur and Anil D'SilvaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Google's India policy head Gulati resigns - sources
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-26 | by ( Aditya Kalra | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Gulati, who previously worked at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's federal think-tank, declined to comment. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterGoogle is facing a series of antitrust cases in India and stricter tech-sector regulations. At Google, Gulati led a team of public policy executives who look at various regulatory implications for the company in India, one of its key growth markets. A number of Indian government officials have been hired by Big Tech companies as they face tighter data and privacy regulation, as well as competition law scrutiny, under Modi's federal government. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Aditya Kalra in New Delhi Editing by Mark PotterOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ India starts debt-restructuring talks with Sri Lanka, vows support
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-20 | by ( Uditha Jayasinghe | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

A man travels in a train as the Colombo harbour is seen, amid the country's economic crisis in Colombo, Sri Lanka, April 20, 2022. "The discussions held in a cordial atmosphere symbolise India's support to early conclusion and approval of a suitable IMF programme for Sri Lanka," the High Commission said. Reuters reported last week, citing sources, that India did not plan to provide fresh financial support to Sri Lanka, as the island's battered economy had begun to stabilise. read moreThe High Commission said India had ongoing development projects worth about $3.5 billion in Sri Lanka, whose president earlier this month asked his officials to resolve obstacles to projects backed by India. President Ranil Wickremesinghe has said Sri Lanka will turn a free trade agreement with India into a comprehensive economic and technological partnership.

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