Google: Google approaches Karnataka HC seeking more time to respond to CCI in Google Play probe – Times of India

New Delhi: Tech Titan Google Writ has been filed in Karnataka High Court Seeking more time to answer the questions of the Competition Commission relating to an inquiry play store Rule. Google said it respects competition commission India’s (CCI) investigation process and “will continue to engage cooperatively and constructively in the interest of a fair investigation”.
A Google spokesperson said in an email on Monday, “We have filed a writ in the Karnataka High Court with regard to the interim relief application by the CCI in the Google Play investigation, seeking to proceed in accordance with the established due process principles.” ”
A source aware of the company’s position on the matter said that Google has extended the timeline for developers in India to integrate with Play’s billing system to October 31, 2022.
The source also said that Google believes that this voluntary extension of the deadline eliminates the need for ‘interim injunctive relief’ sought by ADIF (Coalition of Digital India Foundation). Therefore, insisting on extremely strict timelines is worrying as there is no reason for undue haste, the source said.
Google has also made some other ‘procedural’ requests to the CCI regarding the identity of the complainants (which will help it respond adequately to the complaint) as well as the inclusion of a judicial member in the investigation panel.
The source said that in the absence of any urgency, Google believes that the CCI should follow due process in the interest of a fair and thorough investigation.
Earlier this month, Google said it was deferring the deadline for developers in India to integrate with its Play billing system from March 2022 to October next year. In October last year, the company announced March 31, 2022 as the deadline for developers in India to integrate with Play’s billing system.
Announcing the extension of the deadline for developers in India to integrate with its Play billing system, Google said on December 10, 2021, the move was in the wake of changes to India’s recurring digital payments guidelines.
“We are extending this till 31 October 2022 to provide developers in India the necessary product support for recurring payments through convenient user payment systems, including is i and Wallet, and also provide them with more time in light of changes in India’s Recurring Digital Payment Guidelines,” a Google spokesperson had said.
In the past, Indian developers and startups have expressed concerns about Google’s Play billing system, saying the tech giant is not forcing Indian app developers/owners to sell digital services using its billing system compulsorily. can do
Google previously said that apps that choose to sell digital content through its Play Store will have to use the Google Play billing system and pay a percentage of in-app purchases as a fee. It had given time till September 30, 2021 to complete the necessary updates.
However, it extended the deadline to March 31, 2022, following concerns from the developer community in India. The timeline has now been extended to October next year.
The tech giant has emphasized that its payments policy is not new and has always required developers who distribute their apps on Play to use Google Play’s billing system if they are using digital goods. Offers in-app purchases.

,