Google Pauses Enforcement Of In-App Billing Policy In India After CCI Ruling

Google is "pausing" enforcement of the requirement for developers to use Play's billing system for the purchase of digital goods and services for transactions by users in India while it reviews legal options, in the aftermath of the recent ruling by the CCI.

Indian app developers were supposed to comply with this requirement by October 31, 2022, which lapsed yesterday.

Google has now suspended this requirement, a decision that came after two antitrust rulings against Google by the Competition Commission of India (CCI). 

“Following the CCI’s recent ruling, we are pausing this enforcement of the requirement for developers to use Google Play’s billing system for the purchase of digital goods and services for transactions by users in India while we review our legal options and ensure we can continue to invest in Android and Play," the company said in a statement, reports Indian Express.

Last Month, the CCI imposed a penalty worth Rs 936.44 crore for abusing its dominant market position with respect to its Play Store policies.

The regulator had also directed the company to cease and desist from unfair business practices as well as carry out various measures to address the anti-competitive issues within a defined timeline, according to an order.

The CCI also imposed a second penalty worth Rs 1,338 crore on Google for abusing its dominant position in multiple categories related to the Android ecosystem.

(With inputs from PTI)