Google, like many other multinational tech companies, has faced several battles in India with both startups and regulators. Here are some key instances:
Antitrust Investigations: In 2019, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) launched an antitrust investigation into Google for alleged abuse of its dominant position in the market. The investigation was based on complaints filed by several Indian startups that claimed Google was unfairly promoting its own apps and services over their competitors.
Google Pay Controversy: In 2020, Google Pay faced scrutiny from Indian regulators over its data-sharing practices. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) expressed concerns about Google Pay’s compliance with data localization rules and instructed the company to make changes to its privacy policy.
Digital Taxation: In 2020, India introduced a digital services tax, which required foreign tech companies like Google to pay a 2% tax on revenues earned from digital services in India. Google, along with other tech companies, opposed the tax and argued that it could lead to double taxation.
App Store Policy Changes: In 2021, Google faced backlash from Indian startups and developers over its decision to enforce its in-app payment policy. The move required all apps to use Google’s payment system for in-app purchases, and the company faced criticism for taking a commission on every transaction. Indian startups argued that the move would harm their businesses and limit their ability to compete with larger players.
Controversy Over News Content: In 2021, Google faced criticism from Indian news publishers over its decision to stop displaying content from some of India’s largest news organizations on its news platform. The move was in response to a new law that required tech companies to pay publishers for content, but some publishers argued that Google’s decision would harm their businesses and limit access to news for users.
Overall, Google has faced many battles with Indian startups and regulators over issues ranging from antitrust investigations to digital taxation to app store policies. While the company has made efforts to address some of these concerns, tensions remain high, and the tech giant will likely continue to face scrutiny as it seeks to expand its presence in India’s rapidly growing digital economy.
Google-Apple App Store Investigation: In 2021, the CCI launched an investigation into Google and Apple over their app store policies. The investigation was based on complaints filed by several Indian startups that claimed the tech giants were promoting their own apps and services over their competitors and charging high commissions on in-app purchases.
Android Antitrust Case: In 2018, the CCI fined Google $20 million for allegedly abusing its dominant position in the market by requiring smartphone makers to pre-install Google apps on their devices. The investigation was initiated after a complaint by a group of Indian smartphone makers.
Google’s Digital India Fund: In 2020, Google announced a $10 billion Digital India Fund to invest in Indian startups and support India’s digital economy. However, the move was met with skepticism from some Indian startups and critics who argued that the company’s investment could harm smaller players and create a monopoly in the market.
Data Localization: In addition to the controversy over Google Pay’s data-sharing practices, the Indian government has also implemented strict data localization rules that require foreign tech companies to store Indian user data on local servers. Google has complied with these rules, but some critics argue that the policy could harm India’s tech industry by limiting access to global data centers and increasing costs for startups.
Privacy Concerns: Google, like many other tech companies, has faced criticism in India over its data privacy practices. In 2021, the Indian government introduced a new set of data protection laws aimed at regulating how tech companies collect and use user data. Google has expressed support for the new laws but has also raised concerns about their potential impact on innovation and economic growth.
In summary, Google has faced several battles with Indian startups and regulators over issues ranging from antitrust investigations to app store policies to data privacy concerns. While the company has made efforts to address some of these concerns, tensions remain high, and it will likely continue to face scrutiny as it seeks to expand its presence in India’s rapidly growing digital economy.