Google's CCI settlement over Android TVs: A win-win?

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) recently issued its first settlement order in relation to Google's alleged anti-competitive conduct in the Android TV ecosystem.

- VIVEK AGARWAL & DIVYANSH PRASAD

India had allowed settlement of some competition law cases with the CCI in March 2024. Soon after, Google applied to the CCI to settle its smart TV (STV) case, in which the director general (DG) of investigation had already found evidence to suggest that Google's conduct was abusive. Within a year of the settlement application, the CCI decided to close its proceedings against Google based on a set of behavioural commitments and a settlement amount of ₹20.24 crore.

The DG revealed that Google's licensing regime required STV makers to pre-install the complete bundle of Google's apps on their STVs, only two of which were found to be necessary (Android TV Play Store and Play Services). By requiring STV makers to install other apps such as YouTube and Google Assistant, Google reaped revenues not only from its 'must-have' apps, but also from others. Additionally, as a pre-condition to install its proprietary apps, Google restrained STV makers from partnering with rival operating systems or developing such systems by means of Android forks, an open-source option. This restriction applied not only to STVs, but also to other devices sold by STV makers, including smart phones and smart watches. This impeded innovation and reduced consumer choice, as STV companies were restricted to Google's ecosystem.