Competition panel slaps Rs1-cr fine on Google for non-cooperation in probe

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has imposed a fine of Rs1 crore on Google, for failure to supply information and documents sought by its investigators, in a probe related to Google's alleged misuse of dominance in online search and search-related advertising markets.

In the inquiry that dates back to 2012, the Director General (DG) of investigations of the CCI had sought information and documents from Google to investigate allegations over Google's abuse of market power in online search and search advertising.

The order was passed on a reference made by the DG to CCI alleging inter alia non-cooperation by Google in the pending investigations.

The DG was investigating a complaint filed by Consumer Unity & Trust Society (CUTS) and Matrimony.com Private Ltd against Google for alleged abuse of market power.

CUTS, a consumer rights group, had approached the CCI seeking an investigation into the potential misuse by Google of its dominant position in online search and search-related advertising markets.

Matrimony.com had also filed a complaint in 2012 against Google before the CCI, alleging discriminatory practices related to its AdWords programme.

The issue of Google being investigated under Section 4 of the Competition Act, which relates to the prohibition of abuse of a dominant position was also raised in Parliament that year.

CCI also directed Google to cooperate with the investigations by furnishing such other information/documents, which may be required by the DG during the course of further investigations.

''We're disappointed by this development. While we are confident that our products are compliant with competition law in India, we continue to cooperate fully with the Competition Commission of India's extensive and ongoing investigation,'' Google said in a statement on Thursday. ''We've not yet received this procedural order, but will review it fully once we have.''