Google makes changes to Android and Google Play services in India after CCI setback

• Google has made some changes to Android in line with a directive issued by the Competition Commission of India.
• The changes come right after the Competition Commission of India (CCI) imposed a penalty of ₹1,337.76 crores on Google for abusing its dominant position in markets related to the Android mobile device ecosystem.
• Here are the changes that Google has announced.

In the wake of penalties imposed by the Competition Commission of India (CCI), Google India is bringing some significant changes to the Android ecosystem in India. Some changes will likely impact Google’s Android arrangements with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

The changes announced on Wednesday will allow other manufacturers to build forked Android variants (devices without Google Play services), which are different variants without core Google services. In addition, Google will provide Indian users with an option to choose a default search engine when they set up their Android phones. This means that users will no longer have Google as the default search engine option, which is the case right now.

Sharing this information in a blog post, Google said, “We take our commitment to comply with local laws and regulations in India seriously. The Competition Commission of India (CCI)’s recent directives for Android and Play require us to make significant changes for India, and today we’ve informed the CCI of how we will be complying with their directives.”

The move comes days after the country’s apex court ‘Supreme Court’ upheld stringent antitrust directives, forcing Google to change how it markets its mobile operating system. Earlier, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) imposed a penalty of ₹1,337.76 crores on Google for abusing its dominant position in markets related to the Android mobile device ecosystem. CCI also ordered an investigation into Google's unfair business practices for abusing its market-dominant position in 2019.

Following the CCI order, the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) directed the company to pay a fine, but Google appealed against the order. The tribunal rejected the appeal and directed the company to pay the penalty imposed by CCI.
Here are key changes that Google has planned
Say no to the suite of pre-loaded Google apps
The very first change is that OEMs will be able to license individual Google apps for pre-installation, meaning OEMs will no longer be forced to pre-install the suite of Google apps on their devices, which is the case right now.
Power to choose a default search engine
Now, Android users in India will have more customization options as they can now choose their default search engine. According to Google, the screen will soon appear when a user sets up a new Android tablet or smartphone in India. It is unclear if existing Android users can remove Google as the default search engine.
Smartphones without Google services
The third change notes that Google is updating the Android compatibility requirements. This will introduce changes for partners to build forked variants of devices, meaning devices without Google Play services and devices can have their app store.
More power to developers
The next update will allow app developers to choose an alternative billing system alongside Google Play’s billing system. Till now, Google has insisted that app developers use the Play billing system, which also means they have to give a 30 percent commission to Google for any digital purchase.
More transparency
Google has updated and made changes to the Android installation flow and auto-updating capability for sideloaded apps and app stores while ensuring that users understand the potential security risks.
Access to online resources
Google is now expanding its online resources, such as Help Center articles and FAQs. this will provide more detail on services provided by Google Play and how and when the Google Play service fee is applied.

SEE ALSO:
New patent suggests that Apple could bring a foldable iPhone with a self-healing display in the future
Apple's Mixed Reality headset could feature advanced hand tracking and may work as a second display for Mac