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"The deadline for app developers to integrate with Google Play Store billing system in India has been extended by another seven months to October 31, 2022," according to a joint memo filed on Monday by Google, Competition Commission of India (CCI), and Alliance of Digital India Foundation (ADIF) before the Karnataka High Court.

This joint memo has been filed in a case pertaining to Google India Private Limited's challenge to an order by the Competition Commission of India (CCI). Through this order, CCI had rejected Google's request for access to the identity of those app developers/ start-ups, who had alleged suffering harm on account of Google Play Store's Payments Policy, 2020.

Taking the joint memo on record that also contained a request for closure of the matter, the single-judge bench of Justice Krishna S Dixit disposed of the matter.

Further, as per the memo, Google India will continue to cooperate in the investigation by the Director-General in the pending matters and will not give effect to the Google Play Billing Policy Clarification until October 31, 2022. 

It is to be noted that, on the previous date of hearing, the CCI had submitted that the DG Investigation had given an assurance to the Commission that he will complete the investigation in 60 days. Following this submission, the CCI had also requested the Court to close the petition.

Importantly, the memo specifically states that it shall not be construed as a legal or factual admission or waiver by any of the parties. It adds that all factual and legal contentions, by all parties, remain open, and parties are at liberty to file appropriate proceedings in the future, as deemed necessary.

Backdrop of the case

In 2020, the CCI opened an anti-trust case against Google over Google’s planned Play Store policy for making mandatory use of Google Play Store’s payment system for the purchase of apps and in-app purchases (IAPS).

With Google commanding over 99% of the Indian smartphone market in India, Indian tech startups who operate via apps had raised concerns at multiple levels against Google's move and their 'Alliance of Digital India Foundation' (ADIF) had raised the matter with the CCI. 

CCI started investigating the matter and ordered Google to file the response by November 19, 2021. However, on December 27, Google approached the High Court of Karnakata, seeking more time and challenging an order of the Commission by which it had rejected Google's request for access to the identity of app developers/start-ups allegedly suffering harm on account of Google Play store payments policy 2020 and had directed Google to file its reply to the ADIF's application by December 31, failing which it shall proceed with the matter.

Google had alleged that CCI's denial of access for app developers/start-ups identity had constrained it to defend the ADIF application. Google had further contended that forcing it to defend the ADIF IR application blindfolded cannot comport with natural justice.

However, all the parties filed this joint memo seeking disposal of the matter from the Court on each party's certain assurance.

Cause Title: Google India Private Limited vs Competition Commission Of India