CCI Raises Concerns Over Google Play Store Fees Limiting Developer Innovation

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has told the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) that Google’s 10-30% service fee on app purchases through its Play Store restricts developers’ ability to invest in innovation. According to the CCI, this charge restricts innovators’ ability to improve the calibre of their services and technologies.

The comments were made on the last day of arguments in Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google, against a CCI decision that fined the company Rs 936 crore for anti-competitive behaviour. The Google Play Billing System (GPBS) requirement for all purchases, including in-app payments, is at the heart of the disagreement. Google presented a different billing option, but CCI questioned if it complied with competition laws. According to the CCI, letting developers select their payment processors would result in lower costs and more money available for content and technological development.