India’s antitrust body orders investigation into Google payments app, in-app billing

The CCI said Google’s agreements with some smartphone makers to have the Google Pay app pre-installed might ‘disturb the level playing field’ and should be investigated. — Reuters

MUMBAI: India’s antitrust body on Monday ordered an investigation into allegations that Alphabet Inc’s Google was abusing its market position to promote its payments app as well as forcing app developers to use its in-app payment system.

Reuters reported in May that the Competition Commission of India (CCI) was looking into a complaint that alleged Google was hurting competition by unfairly promoting its Google Pay app, which allows inter-bank fund transfers and other payment services.