Google Announces Sweeping Changes for Android Device Makers in India After Supreme Court Upholds CCI Order

Google has made wide-sweeping changes to its practices for Android device makers in India following the Supreme Court of India upholding an order from the Competition Commission of India (CCI). The changes are in response to a ruling by the CCI which found Google to be abusing its dominant position in the Indian market.

Whats Changed?

Google has made the following changes to its practices in India:

Increased Transparency: Google has committed to make more transparent the services, technologies, and policies it provides to Android device makers.

Waiving Restrictive Contracts: Google has changed its agreements with Android device makers to remove any previously existing restrictions on the use of alternative versions of Android and/or proprietary apps.

Undue Monopolization Prevention: Google is implementing measures to ensure it does not enjoy a monopolistic position in the Indian device market.

What does this mean for Android Device Manufacturers?

The changes instituted by Google should benefit Android device makers in India, who have previously found themselves subjected to Google’s considerable influence in the market. With these changes, device makers now have increased transparency, more flexible contracts, and assured protection from monopolization.

The changes should also benefit consumers in India. With more transparency and no restrictive contracts, device manufacturers in India will now be able to release devices with alternative versions of Android and/or proprietary apps, giving consumers more choice when it comes to the devices they buy.

Conclusion

Google’s changes to its practices in India should benefit both Android device makers and consumers alike. With increased transparency, the removal of restrictive contracts, and protection from monopolization, device makers will now have more power to design the devices they make and consumers will have more choice when it comes to purchasing devices. At its annual Google for India event in New Delhi, Google officially announced sweeping changes for Android device makers in India after the Supreme Court upheld the Competition Commission of India’s (CCI) order.

The CCI’s order, which was handed down in February, requires Google to unbundle its suite of proprietary services from the Android operating system and create an alternate version of Android in India. This version, which is known as Android for India, is intended to give Indian device makers and app developers equal access to the Android operating system and Google’s other services.

At the Google for India event, the company revealed more specifics about Android for India, including that it will be available on devices running Android 7.0 Nougat or later. Additionally, Google stated that the devices need to feature low-cost specifications and must pass a compatibility test and other requirements.

Google also revealed that it is partnering with Indian device makers to ensure that Android devices in India are optimized and customized for the needs of Indian users. Google will provide device makers with access to its proprietary apps and services, including Google Play, Google Maps, and YouTube, as well as provide a payment solution, an advertising platform, and development tools.

Finally, Google stated that these changes are crucial for the growth of the Android ecosystem in India and to ensure that Android users in India have access to the latest, most secure services.

With the Supreme Court’s decision and Google’s official announcement, the competition landscape in India’s mobile market is set to change drastically in 2020. It remains to be seen whether this new version of Android will be able to make an impact on Indian users, but the changes brought about by the CCI order will certainly have far-reaching implications for the mobile market in India.