Team Blitz India
NEW DELHI: The Competition Commission of India(CCI)ordered a probe into Alphabet Inc’s Google in an ongoing dispute with local startups over its in-app billing system. Indian startups have been at odds with Google for months over the fee it charges for in-app payments.
The dispute escalated earlier this month after Google removed more than 100 Indian apps from its app store for violations related to billing, though it restored them after the Indian government intervened.
The startups had asked the CCI to look into the matter and the watchdog ordered an investigation, saying: “Google is implementing its policies in a discriminatory manner.”
The CCI also directed its investigation unit to complete the probe within 60 days.
“We are examining CCI’s order initiating the investigation,” a Google spokesperson said in an emailed response to Reuters, adding that the company will cooperate with the process “in every way.”