Google Scores Partial Victory in Android Antitrust Case in India

The logo of Google LLC is seen at a Google Store in New York City, US, January 20, 2023. (Reuters)
The logo of Google LLC is seen at a Google Store in New York City, US, January 20, 2023. (Reuters)
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Google Scores Partial Victory in Android Antitrust Case in India

The logo of Google LLC is seen at a Google Store in New York City, US, January 20, 2023. (Reuters)
The logo of Google LLC is seen at a Google Store in New York City, US, January 20, 2023. (Reuters)

An Indian tribunal on Wednesday gave partial relief to Alphabet Inc's Google by setting aside four of 10 antitrust directives in a case related to abuse of its dominant position in Android.

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) said in October that Google had exploited its dominant position in Android and told it to remove restrictions imposed on device makers, including related to pre-installation of apps. It also fined Google $161 million.

An Indian appeals tribunal on Wednesday said CCI's findings of Google's anti-competitive conduct were correct and the company was also liable to pay the fine, but it quashed four of the 10 antitrust remedies that had been imposed on Google to change its business model.

Among the reliefs, Google will now not need to allow hosting of third-party app stores inside Play Store, as had been previously ordered by the CCI.

The move will come as some relief for Google after India's Supreme Court in January refused to suspend any of the antitrust remedies ordered last year. The top court had asked the tribunal to hear the case on merit and rule by March end.

Google has been concerned about India's Android decision as the directives were seen as more sweeping than those imposed in the European Commission's landmark 2018 ruling against the operating system.

It has said "no other jurisdiction has ever asked for such far-reaching changes", and repeatedly argued that the growth of its Android ecosystem will stall in India due to the decision.



Meta Reportedly in Talks over Scale AI Investment that Could Exceed $10 Billion

(FILES) Meta corporate headquarters is seen in Menlo Park, California on November 9, 2022. (Photo by JOSH EDELSON / AFP)
(FILES) Meta corporate headquarters is seen in Menlo Park, California on November 9, 2022. (Photo by JOSH EDELSON / AFP)
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Meta Reportedly in Talks over Scale AI Investment that Could Exceed $10 Billion

(FILES) Meta corporate headquarters is seen in Menlo Park, California on November 9, 2022. (Photo by JOSH EDELSON / AFP)
(FILES) Meta corporate headquarters is seen in Menlo Park, California on November 9, 2022. (Photo by JOSH EDELSON / AFP)

Meta Platforms is in talks to make an investment that could exceed $10 billion in artificial intelligence startup Scale AI, Bloomberg News reported on Sunday.

The terms of the deal were not yet finalized and could still change, the report said, citing people familiar with the matter.

Scale AI declined to comment and Meta did not immediately respond to Reuters request for comment outside regular business hours.

Founded in 2016, Scale AI is a data labeling startup backed by tech giants Nvidia, Amazon and Meta.

Last valued at nearly $14 billion, Scale AI also provides a platform for researchers to exchange AI-related information, with contributors in more than 9,000 cities and towns.