Apps and payments: What is the controversy about Google Play Billing System

Tech giant defends itself as Competition Commission fines it Rs 936.44 crore for unfair business practices

India’s antitrust regulator on Tuesday fined Google Rs 936.44 crore, announcing the second such action against the US tech giant for anti-competitive practices. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) said Google used its "dominant position" in the Play Store—the company’s app store—to force app developers to use its in-app payment system.

The CCI earlier on Thursday fined Google another Rs 1,338 crore for anticompetitive practices related to its Android operating system.

What is the Google Play Billing System?

The Google Play Billing System (GPBS) has to be used by app developers and for in-app purchases by customers. App developers not