Google Pays ₹20.2 Crore to Settle Android TV Antitrust Case; CCI Member Dissents Strongly

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has accepted a ₹20.24 crore settlement from Google in connection with allegations of anti-competitive conduct tied to its Android TV licensing practices.

The majority decision, led by CCI Chairperson Ravneet Kaur, mandates Google to implement structural changes in its agreements with smart TV manufacturers. However, CCI Member Anil Agrawal issued a sharp dissent, calling for an outright rejection of the settlement proposal.

The case stemmed from complaints filed in 2020 by advocates Kshitiz Arya and Purushottam Anand, alleging Google had abused its dominant position in two key markets: licensable smart TV operating systems and app stores. Following the complaints, the CCI ordered a detailed investigation.

The Director General’s (DG) probe found that Google leveraged its dominance through practices such as:

• Mandating the pre-installation of its full suite of Google TV Services; 
• Imposing Android Compatibility Commitments (ACC) on OEMs, preventing them from developing rival Android forks; 
• Bundling YouTube with the Play Store, thereby reinforcing its position in the online video platform space. 

In response, Google filed for a settlement under the 2024 CCI Settlement Regulations. Its proposal included:

• A new “New India Agreement,” enabling OEMs to license the Play Store independently of other Google apps; 
• Waiver of ACC requirements for India-specific devices; 
• Notification to OEMs of their right to use alternative operating systems like Tizen or WebOS. 

Google also committed to maintaining these terms for five years and to filing annual compliance reports. The CCI determined the ₹20.24 crore settlement amount after factoring in Google’s relevant turnover, rejecting the company’s request to exclude revenue from the Play Store and YouTube. A 15% discount was applied under the settlement regulations.

“Google will adhere to all three settlement proposals for a period of five years and submit regular compliance reports,” the CCI order noted. Google deposited the full amount on April 8, 2025.

However, Member Anil Agrawal strongly dissented, stating that Google’s proposal failed to resolve the core concerns raised by the DG.

A key issue for Agrawal was Google’s decision to retain its existing Television App Distribution Agreement (TADA), which remains free but includes restrictive conditions—unlike the new paid New India Agreement. This dual-licensing structure, he argued, would sustain the anti-competitive status quo.

“This arrangement is not likely to correct existing market distortions that stem from TADA,” Agrawal wrote. He further criticized Google’s silence on tying YouTube with the Play Store and the obligation for OEMs to include Google-specific buttons on remotes.

Concluding his dissent, Agrawal emphasized:

“There must be only one agreement—whether free or paid—for licensing Google applications. The current proposal fails to address essential issues and merits unequivocal rejection.”