Google could be facing a $5 billion anti-trust fine in India

Google, which is facing antitrust investigation in India by fair trade watchdog CCI, can face a penalty of up to about five billion dollars if it is found to have violated competition norms of the country. Google said it is “extending full cooperation” to the CCI in its investigation. The conclusion of a two-year review by the US antitrust watchdog has concluded that the company’s services were good for competition, it added. 

Google could face a penalty of up to $5 billion if found guilty by the Competition Commission of India in a two-year old probe launched to investigate if the company abused its dominant position in the business of Internet search and advertising. India started antitrust investigation against Google in 2012 based on complaints from the advocacy group, CUTS International, and a local matrimony website. When contacted, a Google India spokesperson said the company is cooperating with the CCI in the investigation. Google is not new to such probes. In February this year, it settled a decade-long antitrust investigation with the European Commission and even avoided potential penalty worth $5 billion or any restructuring of the company’s businesses.