Lower Tribunal Appeal
The CCI ruled in October that Alphabet Inc-owned Google had taken advantage of its dominant position in Android and asked it to lift restrictions on device makers, including those relating to pre-installation of apps and ensuring exclusivity of its searches. . It also fined Google $161 million.
Google had approached the Supreme Court, hoping to stall the implementation of the CCI directions, warning that the development of its Android ecosystem would be stalled. It said it would be forced to make changes to arrangements with more than 1,100 device makers and thousands of app developers if the directive comes into force.
But the Supreme Court refused to block the directions as Google had sought. The court also said a lower tribunal – where Google first challenged the Android Directives – can continue to hear the company’s appeal and should rule by March 31.
“We continue to respectfully appeal certain aspects of the CCI ruling,” Google said.
The US search giant also said it is updating Android compatibility requirements to introduce changes for partners building non-compatible variants of Android.
In Europe, Google was fined by the Commission for imposing an illegal restriction on Android mobile device manufacturers. Google is still challenging a record $4.3 billion fine in that case.
Regarding in-app billing, Google said it will begin offering users’ choice of billing for all apps and games starting next month, which allows developers to sign up with Google when purchasing in-app digital content. -With will help in providing option to choose alternate system.