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Google Faces CCI Inquiry and Rs 2,200 Crore Fine, Amidst Alleged Amazon Involvement

Google has accused the Competition Commission of India (CCI) of favoring rival Amazon and ordering changes to its business model to protect the e-commerce giant. According to Reuters, Amazon had lodged a complaint with the CCI, stating that Google's restrictions hindered the development of its modified Android system version, known as Fire OS. Google has filed a petition with the Supreme Court to overturn the CCI's order, which demanded ten changes to Google's business practices. The CCI had accused Google of abusing its dominant market position with its Android operating system, which powers 97% of smartphones in India.

In its court filing, Google argued that Fire OS had failed globally due to poor user experience and had not even been launched in India. The tech giant claimed that the CCI's directive was solely aimed at protecting Amazon, as the company had failed to compete in India by developing a forked version of Android. Google maintains that it did not abuse its market position and is contesting any penalties imposed by the CCI.

The CCI had fined Google Rs 936.44 crore for Play Store policy violations and issued a cease-and-desist order. It also directed Google to allow the distribution of modified versions of Android without restrictions on pre-installed Google apps. Despite making changes to its Android business model in response to the CCI's ruling, Google continues to challenge the penalties in the Supreme Court.

Google's court filings indicate its disagreement with the CCI's handling of the Android investigation, alleging that CCI officers copied parts of a European ruling against Google in a similar case. The CCI, however, has denied these allegations.