The mandatory pre-installation of the entire Google Mobile Suite under the mobile application distribution agreement, with no option to uninstall the same and their prominent placement, amounts to imposition of an "unfair condition" on the device manufacturers, it said.

The competition regulator accused Google of perpetuating and leveraging its dominant position in the online search and app store market, resulting in a denial of market access for competing search apps and protecting its position in online general search.

In its other order, the CCI said Google abused its dominant position with regard to its Play Store policies and had issued a cease-and-desist order against the company.

The CCI had stated that it found "glaring inconsistencies and wide disclaimers" in revenue data points presented by Google. "In the interest of justice and with an intent of ensuring necessary market correction at the earliest, the CCI quantified the provisional monetary penalties on the basis of the data presented by Google. Accordingly, the CCI imposed a penalty @ 7% of its average relevant turnover amounting to ₹936.44 crore upon Google on a provisional basis, for violating Section 4 of the Act."

The CCI order said Google’s Play Store policies require the app developers to "exclusively and mandatorily" use Google Play's Billing System (GPBS). App developers can't, within an app, provide users with a direct link to a webpage containing an alternative payment method or use language that encourages a user to purchase the digital item outside of the app, it said.

If the app developers do not comply with Google’s policy of using GPBS, they are not permitted to list their apps on the Play Store, the CCI order said, adding that Google is dominant in the licensable OS markets for smart mobile devices and app stores for Android smart mobile OS, in India.

Google Mobile Suite

Google moves NCLAT against CCI’s penalty