The Supreme Court has agreed to hear cross-appeals in the high-profile dispute over the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal’s (NCLAT) ruling on Google’s Play Store practices. The case stems from the Competition Commission of India’s (CCI) 2022 order, which found Google guilty of abusing its dominant position in multiple markets through its Play Store policies.

Google and its affiliates—parent company Alphabet Inc., Google Ireland, Google India, and Google India Digital Services—have challenged the NCLAT’s March 2024 judgment, which upheld most of the CCI’s core findings. The tribunal concluded that Google’s Play Store policy imposed restrictive conditions on app developers and was used to unfairly promote Google’s own payment platform, Google Pay, over rivals.

The CCI had earlier imposed penalties and directed Google to make significant changes to its policies, including allowing third-party payment systems and curbing anti-competitive restrictions. While NCLAT provided partial relief by modifying some of the CCI’s directives, it largely endorsed the view that Google’s conduct was anti-competitive.

Google argues that its Play Store policies are designed to ensure user security, app quality, and a seamless payment experience, and denies any abuse of dominance. The company contends that the CCI’s conclusions could undermine the safety and integrity of the Android ecosystem.

On the other side, the CCI is defending its findings, insisting that Google leveraged its market power to stifle competition and restrict consumer choice. It argues that the Play Store’s mandatory use of Google’s billing system placed unfair costs on developers and favored Google Pay.

The Supreme Court’s decision to admit both Google’s appeal and the CCI’s cross-appeal sets the stage for a significant legal battle that could reshape app store regulations in India and influence global debates on Big Tech’s market power.