A final decision on the much-talked-about Google case has still to be made even though it’s been three years since the CCI (Competition Commission of India) received complaints about the tech giant engaging in anti-competitive practices. It was alleged that secure in it’s position as the biggest search engine in the market, Google deliberately manipulated results to its own advantage.
Google is also accused of having imposed discriminatory conditions on advertisers. In case the company is found guilty of the aforesaid offences by the CCI, it may be forced to pay a fine amounting to 10 percent of its revenues and/or stop said unethical practices. Since the news broke, the most the US-based behemoth has done about it openly is ask to see certain documents held back by the Indian authorities.
The investigative arm of the CCI has already written and submitted a report on the case. Chairman of the body, Ashok Chawla, admits that it will take quite some time before a final decision is taken. The procedure prescribed by the Competition Act has to be followed after all, and this includes hearing Google’s side of the story too. The report on the issue has been handed over to both parties who will contesting the matter.
Also see: CCI chief says Google India investigation report is only the start
The report on the supposed malpractices by Google, was put together by the DG (Director General) of the CCI’s investigative arm. It is expected to contain statements by several internet-based businesses covering but not limited to e-commerce sites, going by a PTI post. While some have taken Google’s side on the case, others appear to imply that anti-competitive measures were adopted by the company in ranking its search results.
Chawla made the aforementioned comments on the Google case at the recently convened Skoch summit on transformative governance.