Search Engine giant Google slapped with Rs 135 crore fine for ‘search bias’ by Competition Commission of India

Search engine giant Google has been slapped a nearly Rs 136 crore fine by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) for ‘abusing its dominant position’ in online general web search. The CCI, in its order, said that Google was leveraging its dominance in the market for online general web search, to strengthen its position in the market for online syndicate search services. Globally, this is one of the rare cases where Google has been penalised for unfair business ways.

“The competitors were denied access to the online search syndication services market due to such a conduct,” the CCI order said. Passing the order on complaints that were filed back in 2012, the regulator said the penalty is being imposed on Google for “infringing anti-trust conduct”.

The penalty amount of Rs 135.86 crore translates to 5 per cent of the company’s average total revenue generated from India operations from its different business segments for the financial years 2013, 2014 and 2015, according to the CCI order.

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) said it has given thoughtful consideration on the submissions made by Google on issue of penalty and found it appropriate to impose a fine.

The ruling has come on complaints filed by Matrimony.com and Consumer Unity & Trust Society (CUTS) – back in 2012 – against Google LLC, Google India Pvt Ltd and Google Ireland Ltd.