Google Hit with $113m Fine by Indian Regulators for Restricting Third-Party Payments

India's antitrust regulator has imposed a $113 million fine on Google for restricting app developers from using alternative payment processing systems within the Google Play Store. According to a report by Tech Crunch, the regulator stated that Google's practices undermine the incentives for innovation. With Android dominating 97% of India's mobile market, the regulator has outlined policy changes for Google's digital storefront, including the removal of anti-steering provisions for app developers and the prohibition of restrictions on users' access to in-app features and services. Google is also barred from leveraging transaction data from its billing system to gain a competitive advantage. The company has three months to implement these changes. This is not the first time Google has faced backlash in India over its payment system, having previously faced opposition from a coalition of 150 Indian companies in 2020.