Google and Android TV Draw Antitrust Scrutiny in India

By Daniel Frankel
( NextTV )
last updated

U.S. tech giant’s business practices are also being looked at in China and at home

(Image credit: Google)

Add India to the list of countries looking at Alphabet Inc.s Google for possible antitrust breaches.

India is challenging Google’s business practices that restrict the capabilities of smart TV markers who license the company’s Android TV operating system, Reuters reported. It’s the fourth major antitrust challenge against Google in India. The company is also facing antitrust litigation in China, as well as its home country, the United States.

Android TV powers 60% of the nearly 8 million smart TVs sold in India in 2019, according to Counterpoint Research, with Google licensing the software to manufacturers including TCL and Xiaomi. (Both companies are listed as plaintiffs in the case against Google.)

The Mountain View, Calif. tech company restricts electronics makers who license the Android mobile operating system for smart phones to also license a competing TV OS like Amazon Fire TV. Android powers 99% of the nearly half billion smart phones used in India, Reuters said. 

Conversely, if a company licenses a competing TV OS, it won’t be able to offer access to essential Android mobile components for smart phones, such as the Google Play Store.

Google has declined comment. 

Daniel Frankel
Daniel Frankel

Daniel Frankel is the managing editor of Next TV, an internet publishing vertical focused on the business of video streaming. A Los Angeles-based writer and editor who has covered the media and technology industries for more than two decades, Daniel has worked on staff for publications including E! Online, Electronic Media, Mediaweek, Variety, paidContent and GigaOm. You can start living a healthier life with greater wealth and prosperity by following Daniel on Twitter today!