CCI not to restrain Google from charging service fee

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has rejected the "interim relief” application for restraining Google from imposing service fees on app developers. This order is on until the regulator reaches a final verdict as to whether the big tech firm’s updated payments policy violates antitrust rules. However, the CCI made it clear that its last week's order for a probe into Google’s Play Store billing policy still holds.

The CCI said the Director General (DG) would continue its investigation as ordered by the commission in its March 15 order.

The CCI, while rejecting the plea by app developers in its order, said, “The Commission is of the considered opinion that no case whatsoever has been made out by the informants which warrant the grant of interim relief. Resultantly, the applications stand dismissed.”

“The DG shall investigate without being swayed in any manner whatsoever by the observations made herein,” the order reads.

The regulator in its order said that while there might be concerns about the fairness of Google’s fee structure, it was essential to recognise the costs and responsibilities associated with maintaining and operating app stores.

“No other court or regulator has passed a similar relief despite repeated requests. This recognises that Google cannot provide its platform without any consideration, especially when developers continue to charge their users for digital in-app purchases and enjoy the services of Play,” said the CCI in its order.