Google has been fined by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) to the tune of roughly $166,000 (US) in relation to an antitrust probe launched two years ago.
The probe began after a complaint from consumer advocacy group Consumer Unity and Trust Society (CUTS) International about alleged anti-competitive practices. The complaint was followed by another from matrimony.com.
In a statement, CCI said Google failed to comply with the directions given by the Director General seeking information and documents. It said:
The order was passed on a reference made by the DG to CCI alleging inter alia non-cooperation by Google in the pending investigations.
The DG was investigating the informations filed by M/s Matrimony com private limited and Consumer Unity & Trust Society (CUTS) against Googlefor alleged abuse of market power in the relevant markets of online search and search advertising.
CCI also directed Google to cooperate with the investigations by furnishing such other informations/ documents which may be required by the DG during the course of further investigations.
There were reports earlier this month suggesting Google could face a maximum penalty of $5 billion.
TechCrunch shares a statement from a Google India spokesperson regarding the new fine:
“We’re disappointed by this development. While we are confident that our products are compliant with competition law in India, we continue to cooperate fully with the Competition Commission of India’s extensive and ongoing investigation. We’ve not yet received this procedural order, but will review it fully once we have.”
Unlike Europe, where Google recently reached a settlement in another antitrust probe, the CCI doesn’t have provisions for a settlement process (via Times of India).
Image via Google India