Google has agreed to settle a case with the Competition Commission of India (CCI) by paying a penalty of ₹20.2 crore over its conduct related to Android TV. The CCI had earlier found a prima facie case of Google misusing its dominant position in the smart TV segment.
This is the third such case against the tech giant in India. Previously, Google faced penalties over its Play Store policies and dominance in the Android mobile operating system.
In the Android TV case, Google submitted a settlement request under Section 48A of the Competition Act. As part of the proposal, it agreed to implement a ‘New India Agreement’. This allows Android TV manufacturers in India to access the Play Store and Play Services independently—without needing to bundle them or meet default placement rules.
Additionally, the settlement removes the need for a valid Android Compatibility Commitment (ACC) for smart TVs shipped into India. This applies specifically to devices that do not come with Google apps. As a result, television manufacturers are no longer required to follow strict compatibility rules. They can now develop and sell non-standard versions of Android without violating Google’s Television App Distribution Agreement (TADA).
The CCI stated that it accepted the settlement after reviewing the seriousness and effects of the violation. It approved the deal under Section 48A(3) of the Competition Act, applying a 15% discount on the total penalty, bringing the final settlement to ₹20.2 crore.
The case was originally filed by Kshitiz Arya and Purushottam Anand under Section 19(1)(a) of the Competition Act, 2002. Their complaint was against Google LLC, Google India Pvt Ltd, Xiaomi Technology India, and TCL India Holding. They alleged that Google imposed unfair and restrictive agreements on TV manufacturers, abusing its dominant market position.
