Swarajya Logo
Swarajya Logo
Politics States Economy Society Business Culture Infra Defence World Books Ideas Science Technology Heritage Archives Legal Movies Sports
  • Our Views
    Politics States Economy Society Business Culture Infra Defence World Books Ideas Science Technology Heritage Archives Legal Movies Sports
  • Magazine
  • Store

About Swarajya

Swarajya is a publication by Kovai Media Private Limited.

Swarajya - a big tent for liberal right of centre discourse that reaches out, engages and caters to the new India.

editor@swarajyamag.com

Useful Links

  • About Us
  • Subscriptions Support
  • Editorial Philosophy
  • Press Kit
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Code of Conduct
  • Plagiarism Policy
  • Refund & Cancellation Policy

Useful Links

  • About Us
  • Subscriptions Support
  • Editorial Philosophy
  • Press Kit
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Code of Conduct
  • Plagiarism Policy
  • Refund & Cancellation Policy

Participate

  • Contact Us
  • Write for us
  • Style Guide
  • Jobs

Stay Connected

  • Artboard 2 Copy 6Created with Sketch.
    Artboard 2 Copy 10Created with Sketch.
    Artboard 2 Copy 7Created with Sketch.
    Artboard 2 Copy 9Created with Sketch.
  • Andriod Logo
  • IOS Logo

News Brief

Google's Play: CCI Launches Investigation Into Search Engine's Alleged Misuse Of Dominant Position In News Aggregation

Bhaswati Guha Majumder Saturday, January 8, 2022 3:56 pm IST
In a case similar to India's, in the European Union, Google was found guilty and fined.
In a case similar to India's, in the European Union, Google was found guilty and fined.
In a case similar to India's, in the European Union, Google was found guilty and fined.
  • It has been claimed that Google not only has a monopolistic position in India when it comes to search, but it also has a dominant position in advertising intermediation, with the majority of the market share at each level.
  • The Competition Commission of India (CCI), India's antitrust body, has opened a new probe into Google's alleged "abuse of dominance in news aggregation" after a complaint was filed by the Digital News Producers Association (DNPA), which promotes and protects the interests of digital news publishers.

    According to the association, online search engines account for more than half of all traffic to news websites, with Google claiming to be the most popular search engine.

    It also stated that Google accounts for 50 per cent of all traffic to news websites and as the leading player in the market, it controls which news websites are discovered via search using its algorithms.

    As per DNPA, its members have always strived to offer accurate and fact-checked news, which is the backbone of any democracy, but there have been severe interruptions with the development of digital news media and the coronavirus epidemic.

    According to the complainant, news media organisations provide the environment for audiences to interact with advertisers, yet online search engines such as Google end up leveraging revenue and returns far more than publishers.

    It has been claimed that Google not only has a monopolistic position in India when it comes to search, but it also has a dominant position in advertising intermediation, with the majority of the market share at each level.

    Additionally, the association also claimed that the American tech company is a big player in the digital advertising industry and that it decides on its own the amount to be paid to publishers for the content they create, as well as the rules under which the amount must be paid.

    Moreover, the association explained that there is a lack of transparency in online digital advertising intermediation services, making it difficult for publishers to audit and verify ad revenue produced on their websites.

    Alphabet Inc, Google LLC, Google India Private Ltd, and Google Ireland Ltd were included in the complaint filed by DNPA.

    However, in this case, CCI stated: “In a well-functioning democracy, the critical role played by news media cannot be undermined, and it needs to be ensured that digital gatekeeper firms do not abuse their dominant position to harm the competitive process of determining a fair distribution of revenue amongst all stakeholders.”

    The CCI also said that it believes Google has breached Section 4 of the Competition Act of 2002, which deals with misuse of dominant position. It noted that “no doubt, Google, being the gateway, generates substantial traffic for news publishers” but at the same time, the informant's allegations of a bargaining power imbalance and denial of a fair portion of advertising revenue deserve further scrutiny.

    According to the regulator, Google should be investigated to see if it imposes any unfair terms or prices on different news producers.

    CCI elaborated while saying that Google has been requested in France and Australia to enter into good faith negotiations with news publishers for paid content licencing to rectify the two parties' bargaining power imbalance and the subsequent imposition of unfair conditions by the tech giant.

    The regulator's investigation arm, the director-general (DG), has been asked to launch a probe into the situation and provide a report within 60 days.

    "Nothing stated in this order shall be tantamount to a final expression of opinion on the merits of the case, and the DG shall conduct the investigation without being swayed in any manner whatsoever by the observations made herein," it added.

    Tags
    technology
    google
    Google News
    Google search
    Company
    CCI investigation
    Competition Commision of India
    Digital News Publishers Association

    Comments ↓

    An Appeal...


     

    Dear Reader,

     

    As you are no doubt aware, Swarajya is a media product that is directly dependent on support from its readers in the form of subscriptions. We do not have the muscle and backing of a large media conglomerate nor are we playing for the large advertisement sweep-stake.

     

    Our business model is you and your subscription.  And in challenging times like these, we need your support now more than ever.

     

    We deliver over 10 - 15 high quality articles with expert insights and views. From 7AM in the morning to 10PM late night we operate to ensure you, the reader, get to see what is just right.

     

    Becoming a Patron or a subscriber for as little as Rs 1200/year is the best way you can support our efforts.

    Get Swarajya in your inbox.


    Magazine


    Swarajya Magazine Cover Image
    Merchandise

    Merchandise


      Politics

      Not Like The Old Times: BJP's Feeble Victory In Rajasthan (Part II)

      Not Like The Old Times: BJP's Feeble Victory In Rajasthan (Part II)

      Venu Gopal Narayanan
      6h

      'Cash For Query' Row: Mahua Moitra Expelled From Lok Sabha As Lower House Accepts Ethics Panel's Recommendation

      Swarajya Staff
      12h

      Shinde Government's Push For Maratha Quota Triggers Resignations In Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission

      Swarajya Staff
      13h

      Economy

      Enough Of Big Bang Reforms? No Major Announcements In Next Budget, "Wait Till July 2024", Says Nirmala Sitharaman

      Enough Of Big Bang Reforms? No Major Announcements In Next Budget, "Wait Till July 2024", Says Nirmala Sitharaman

      Nishtha Anushree
      1d

      ₹58,378 Crores! Govt Set To Open Taps On Additional Welfare Spending With 2024 In Mind

      Swarajya News Staff
      2d

      India Anticipated To Be Fastest Growing In Next Three Years, Set to Become Third Largest Economy By 2030: S&P

      Nishtha Anushree
      4d

      Defence

      On This Day, In 1971, Indian Military Keeps Up Pressure: With Intense Armour Clashes In Western Pakistan, While Second Naval Raid On Karachi Looms

      On This Day, In 1971, Indian Military Keeps Up Pressure: With Intense Armour Clashes In Western Pakistan, While Second Naval Raid On Karachi Looms

      Ujjwal Shrotryia
      10h

      Indian Army Sets Sight On Future: Developing AI And Cybersecurity Tech; Can Now Interpret Enemy's Electronic Order Of Battle

      Swarajya Staff
      16h

      Indian Air Force's C-17 Globemaster-III Transport Aircraft Successfully Drops DRDO-Developed Heavy Airdrop Platform

      Swarajya Staff
      17h

      World

      After Becoming Longest-Serving President, Putin Announces Running For Election In Russia Again

      After Becoming Longest-Serving President, Putin Announces Running For Election In Russia Again

      Nishtha Anushree
      9h

      Maldives Skips Key Indian Ocean Security Meet With India And Other Neighbours, Opts For Chinese Forum Amidst Growing Tilt

      Swarajya Staff
      14h

      Azerbaijan President Accuses India And France Of Fuelling Armenia's Fire Of 'Revenge' For Loss In Nagorno-Karabakh War

      Swarajya Staff
      14h

      Culture

      From Jodhpur To Ayodhya On Bulls, Preserved Through Herbs: The Story Of Ghee To Be Used For Ram Lalla's First Aarti

      From Jodhpur To Ayodhya On Bulls, Preserved Through Herbs: The Story Of Ghee To Be Used For Ram Lalla's First Aarti

      Nishtha Anushree
      9h

      ‘Garba Of Gujarat’ Declared As Intangible Heritage By UNESCO

      Arun Kumar Das
      2d

      Gujarat's Garba Is Now In List Of UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

      Swarajya News Staff
      2d
      States

      infrastructure


      Amit Mishra
      1

      Gurugram: Haryana Government To Incorporate 'New Company' For Millennium City Metro Corridor

      2 Mins Read
      Amit Mishra
      2

      Ayodhya Airport To Be Ready By December End, Says Jyotiraditya Scindia

      2 Mins Read
      Amit Mishra
      3

      Kochi Metro Phase II: 11.2 Km Network To Be Ready By November 2026, AIIB Loan Approval Awaited

      2 Mins Read
      Arun Kumar Das
      4

      Make-In-India Initiatives Are Driving Growth In Manufacturing Sector, Says Ashwini Vaishnaw

      3 Mins Read