India’s competitors watchdog on Thursday ordered a probe into Google’s restrictive insurance policies for real-money video games on its platform, following a criticism by on-line gaming platform WinZO that known as it discriminatory.
The transfer compounds Google’s regulatory complications in India, the place it has already been hit with not less than two penalties for abusing its dominant place within the Android working system market.
Google didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark made after working hours in India and with the Thanksgiving vacation in the US.
WinZO, which presents real-money video games, first approached the Competitors Fee of India (CCI) in 2022, after a change within the U.S. firm’s gaming app coverage continued to exclude WinZO from Google’s Play Retailer, even because it accepted a few of its rivals.
The up to date Google coverage allowed real-money video games for fantasy sports activities and rummy, however WinZO was rejected because it additionally provided video games in different classes that Google doesn’t settle for, such because the Indian sport of carrom, puzzles and automotive racing.
“By granting preferential therapy to pick out app classes, Google successfully creates a two-tier market the place some builders are accorded superior entry and visibility whereas others are discriminated in opposition to and thus, left with a aggressive drawback,” a duplicate of the CCI order acknowledged.
A CCI official is predicted to finish its investigation into the matter inside 60 days.
