Google Play Store has paused its billing system for app developers in India, shortly after the Competition Commission of India (CCI) fined the Internet giant 9.4 billion rupees (US$113.2 million).
Google headquarters in Mountain View, California / Photo credit: 123rf.com
The US-based firm had required all digital services and goods on its Play Store to use its own billing system, with most geographies being given until June 1 to comply or risk having their apps removed from the platform.
Though Google’s support page had initially given developers in India an extension until October 31 to comply, the tech giant has abandoned this completely.
“Following the CCI’s recent ruling, we are pausing 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,” Google’s said on its support page.
The competition regulator’s sanctions against the tech company on October 25 after Google allegedly abused “its dominant position with respect to its Play Store policies.” The body also issued a cease-and-desist order, pushing the firm to modify its conduct within a given timeline.
Recently, India also fined the firm 13.4 billion rupees (UfS$161.8 million) for similarly anti-competitive practices related to Android mobile devices.
See also: Indonesian startups push back on Google Play’s new billing rules
Currency converted from Indian rupees to US dollars: US$1 = 82.66 rupees
Editing by Deepti Sri
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