Google and India
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Run- ins with the authorities
2018/ Competition Commission of India fines Google Rs 135.86 crore for 'search bias'
February 8, 2018: Gadgets India
India's antitrust watchdog, Competition Commission of India (CCI) has imposed a Rs 135.86 crore fine on Google for "search bias", in the latest regulatory setback for the world's most popular internet search engine. The CCI says that Google, a unit of US firm Alphabet Inc, was abusing its dominance in online web search and online search advertising markets.
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has found Google to have abused its dominant position in online general web search and web search advertising services in India. The order was passed in response to informations filed by Matrimony.com Limited and Consumer Unity & Trust Society (CUTS) in 2012," said the CCI.
The company will need to deposit the fine within 60 days, the commission said. It has been mentioned that the allegations against Google was in relation to the design of Search Engine Result Page (SERP). "CCI noted in its order that Google through its search design has not only placed its commercial flight unit at a prominent position on SERP, it has also allocated disproportionate real estate thereof to such units to the disadvantage of verticals trying to gain market access," added CCI.
Furthermore it was added that Google provided a link in certain commercial units which lead users to its specialized search result page (Google Flight). This resulted in unfair imposition upon the users of general search services as well.
"The CCI also noted in the order that ranking of Universal Results prior to 2010 were pre-determined to trigger at the 1st, 4th or 10th position on the SERP instead of by their relevance. Such practice of Google was unfair to the users and was found to be in contravention of the provisions of Section 4(2)(a)(i) of the Act," said the Competition Commission of India.
Replying to the CCI's charges, a Google spokesperson said, "We have always focused on innovating to support the evolving needs of our users. The Competition Commission of India has confirmed that, on the majority of issues it examined, our conduct complies with Indian competition laws. We are reviewing the narrow concerns identified by the Commission and will assess our next steps."
