Google Makes Changes to Android in India after Antitrust & Competition Issues!!

No Monopoly - More Competiton = Customer Benefit

Following the failure to block an antitrust decision, Alphabet's Google said on 24th Jan 23, Wednesday that users of Android-based devices would be able to select the default search engine. The US-based company announced enhancements to its platforms in India, including the ability for equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to license particular Google apps for pre-installation on their devices.

Last week, the country's Supreme Court maintained harsh antitrust orders, dismissing Google's case to the Competition Commission of India found that stated the corporation abused its market position, directing it to adjust how it advertises its Android system in a crucial growth region.

The Android creator, which was fined $161 million by India's Competition Commission in 2022 and forced to reform its business methods, said on Wednesday that it will enable smartphone makers in India to license specific apps for pre-installation on their Android-powered handsets.

Beginning next month around February, Google will also allow users to switch search engines and utilize third-party billing methods for app and game purchases on the Play Store.

"Implementing these changes throughout the ecosystem will be a complicated process that will need considerable work on our end as well as, in many cases, significant efforts from partners, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and developers," Google said in a blog post.

Google adds that in order to comply with these restrictions, it would allow smartphone manufacturers to "license specific Google apps" to preinstall on their devices, as well as "offer adjustments allowing partners to develop non-compatible or forked variations." However, the corporation said it would "respectfully contest some elements of the CCI's determinations" in the future.

According to Counterpoint Research, Android powers around 97% of India's 600 million smartphones, while the system powers 75% of Europe's 550 million smartphones.

Why Google agreed to change?

A new mobile operating system focused on privacy and security has been developed by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras. BharOS is an Indian government-funded project by BOSS Linux, to develop free and open-source operating systems (OS) for government and public systems. 

The project aims to reduce the dependence on foreign OS in smartphones and promote the use of locally developed technology. 

“‘BharOS’ is a successful start towards data privacy, and an important initiative towards strong, indigenous & #Aatmanirbhar digital infrastructure in India.”

— MyGovIndia (@mygovindia) January 24, 2023

Lower Tribunal Appeal Declination

The Supreme Court declined to stop the directions as Google requested. The court also stated that a lower tribunal, where Google originally contested the Android directions, can continue to hear the company's appeal and must issue a decision by March 31.

According to Google's Indian Supreme Court submission, "no other jurisdiction has ever requested such far-reaching modifications."

The following is a comprehensive list of the important improvements Google is implementing in India:

1. Individual Google apps will be licensed for pre-installation on OEM devices.
2. Android users have always had the ability to personalize their smartphones to their liking. Indian customers will soon be able to select their default search engine via a choice screen that will show when they set up a new Android smartphone or tablet in India.
3. We are revising the Android compatibility standards to make it easier for partners to create non-compliant or forked variations.
4. Beginning next month, by February, all applications and games will be able to use user-choice charging. Developers may utilize user choice billing to provide users the option of using an alternate charging system in addition to Google Play's billing system when purchasing in-app digital content.
5. Android has long enabled app installation from a number of sources, including sideloading, which includes downloading programs straight from a developer's website. They recently changed the Android installation method and auto-update functionality for sideloaded applications and app stores, all while ensuring users are aware of any security threats.

"It will be difficult," Suraj Pichai predicted. "We're talking about 600 million Android users here - this will be a major jolt, causing uncertainty and turmoil."

The search giant also announced that it is revising the Android compatibility rules to make it easier for partners to create non-compatible variations of Android.

Google was penalized in Europe for imposing what the European Commission called illegal limitations on Android mobile device producers. Google is currently contesting the case's record $4.3 billion fine.

Concerning in-app billing, Google stated that it will begin providing customers choice billing to all applications and games beginning next month, allowing developers to provide an option to pick other systems in addition to Google's when purchasing in-app digital content.

Summing Up!

Given India's vast Android market, there should be freedom to change the default search engine on Android phones. After all of the deliberations and appeals. When setting up a new smartphone in India, Google will now offer Android users the to select their own search engine. At the present, users on Android can choose a different search engine, but they must do it through the settings menu.

This move or adjustment would not only end Google's decades-long monopoly in India, but it will also increase competition from other search engines, delivering more benefits to Indians as well as other customers. India will no longer rely on foreign apps and will instead rely on its own high-profile software developers and engineers, signaling a significant shift that will strengthen the economy. Independence in such a sector may be a watershed moment for India.

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