Google LLC VS. Competition Commission of India

The decision in Google LLC v. Competition Commission of India marks a significant development in Indian competition law, particularly in the regulation of digital markets and platform economies. This paper examines the findings of the Competition Commission of India (CCI) concerning Google’s alleged abuse of dominance under Section 4 of the Competition Act, 2002 within the Android mobile ecosystem. It analyses Google’s contractual arrangements with original equipment manufacturers, including mandatory app bundling and restrictions on Android forks, and their impact on competition and innovation. The study evaluates the legal reasoning adopted by the CCI in defining relevant markets, assessing dominance, and identifying exclusionary conduct. It concludes that the ruling represents a decisive shift toward a nuanced, effects-based approach to digital market regulation in India and sets an important precedent for antitrust enforcement against digital gatekeepers.