Google and India’s regulators are in the middle of a serious legal showdown, and it is not about search results or ads. This time, the fight is over how apps make money on Android phones, and whether Google’s rules are unfair to developers and users.
What’s the deal?
Most Indians over 90%, to be precise use Android phones Statista. And the go-to place to download apps? Google’s Play Store. Now here is where the problem starts, If you buy anything inside an app, game coins, extra features, subscriptions Google automatically takes a 15–30% cut of that payment. But that’s not all. It also require app developers to use its billing system if they want their app on the Play Store.
India’s Competition Commission (CCI) says that it is a big red flag because it gives Google too much control and blocks out fair competition. In 2022, the CCI fined Google ₹936 crore (about $112 million) for abusing its dominant position and ordered it to stop these practices Livemint.
What did Google do?
Google pushed back. It appealed the ruling at the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT). But earlier this year, NCLAT mostly sided with the CCI, saying yes, Google’s billing policy was indeed anti-competitive Reuters.
Now Google has escalated things by appealing to India’s Supreme Court, hoping to overturn the decision. It insists that its system offers secure transactions and helps keep the Play Store reliable, kind of like how Apple runs its App Store. But many in the tech space say Google’s practices block developers from growing and keep users stuck with fewer choices TechCrunch
Why does it matter to you?
If Google loses in the Supreme Court:
- Apps could become cheaper. Developers wouldn’t need to pay Google’s high fees and might pass savings on to users.
- More payment options could show up, including local services like Razorpay, Paytm, etc.
- Smaller developers might have a better shot at success, since they won’t be weighed down by fees.
If Google wins:
- Things pretty much stay the same. Google keeps control of payments on Android.
- Developers may still feel trapped under Google’s rules.
- Users could continue to see higher in-app costs to cover fees.
Bigger picture?
This isn’t just a Google story. It is part of a global movement where regulators are trying to bask in Big Tech. India’s decision here could influence what happens in other countries too, especially where Android is dominant.
Related: Google’s Big Reveal is Set for August 20 – New Pixels, Foldables and AI.
And even though Google now allows alternate billing in some countries (including India, after heavy pressure), critics argue that it is a half-baked fix. The company still takes a reduced cut, meaning developers don’t really escape the fees TechCrunch.
