Google to introduce changes in Android phones in India after CCI directives; Key changes here

Global technology giant Google is set to incorporate major changes in its Android smartphones in India. The multinational tech giant is making upgrades and alterations to comply with the recent directives of the Competition Commission of India (CCI). CCI strives to maintain healthy competitiveness within the Indian business cluster.

Reportedly, Google will introduce multiple changes concerning the operations of its Android smartphone operating system (OS) and Google Play store in India. The recent policy changes by the CCI will offer a big relief to Android app developers and unlock more options for Android users. According to Google’s press release, the firm has confirmed its compliance with the rules and regulations of the Indian legal infrastructure.

The team stated that a substantial level of work would go behind the successful implementation of the new directives of the CCI. Now, the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) will be allowed to licence individual Google-created applications for pre-installation on their smart devices. Until now, Google apps such as YouTube, Gmail, and Meet came pre-installed on devices as a part of the Android licensing agreement.


Google will now adopt a ‘user-choice’ payment option where app developers can choose any other billing solution along with Google Play’s in-built system. Customers will get a free hand to download their preferred apps from any source other than Google Play. Most of these changes will likely go live in the coming months. However, Google has clarified that it needs to collaborate with other partners for the successful implementation of the upgrades.

Indian Android users will get a chance to pick their default search engine. They would be able to choose from the option screen that will get displayed during the setting up of a new Android handset or tablet. This facility will allow customers to try other search engines such as Microsoft Bing, DuckDuckGo, etc.

In October 2022, the CCI imposed a hefty penalty of around INR 2,273 crore on Google. The fine was in response to Google’s unfavourable dominant control in various domains across the Indian smartphone market.

FAQs

Q1. Who is the current CEO of Google?
Ans. The current CEO of Google is Sundar Pichai.

Q2. What is the name of the parent company of Google Inc.?
Ans. The name of Google’s parent company is ‘Alphabet Inc.’