Make fdroid compulsory and state should sponsor it or at least have its own repo.

Software Engineer

India's antitrust body, the Competition Commission of India (CCI), found Apple exploited its dominant position in the iOS app store market, engaging in abusive practices.  The CCI's 142page report...

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- India's antitrust body, the Competition Commission of India (CCI), found Apple exploited its dominant position in the iOS app store market, engaging in abusive practices.
- The CCI's 142-page report, seen by Reuters, highlights Apple's significant influence over digital products and services, forcing developers to use its proprietary billing system.
- Apple denies wrongdoing, citing its small market share in India, where Android dominates, but the CCI report states Apple's App Store is indispensable for developers.
- The investigation, initiated by a non-profit group and supported by Indian startups and Match Group, claims Apple's in-app fees hurt competition and violate Indian laws.
- The CCI's findings come amid global antitrust scrutiny of Apple, with potential fines and directives to change business practices pending a final decision. 

 Source: Reuters

India Antitrust Probe Finds Apple Abused Position in Apps Market

Journalist

India Antitrust Probe Finds Apple Abused Position in Apps Market- Grapevine

Everyone wants Google's distribution, but no one wants to pay for it.

Everyone wants Google to stop doing what it's doing, but no one wants to invest in an alternative.

Alternatives, if any coming up, from India will be of cheap quality. Does anyone remember what happened to BharatOS, or what's happening with Krutrim. 

What these app developers are not realising is that, their business is more or less happening because Android as an OS is there. It's not just about play store. 

I wonder why they're not cribbing against the Apple app store. 

Could the rates be lower? Yes.
But what's in it for Google or Apple when that entire section of business is because of them?

No one is stopping anyone from building a new OS, a better one. As long as a good quality one is not coming up, everyone will have to rely on Google or Apple. 

It feels really bad when the founders try to make it a national issue as well 🤦🏻‍♂️

Oh, and even if a new OS comes up, I wonder how they're going to sustain it, plus make people choose that without the availability of other apps.

Rant about Google Play Store

Product Manager

- The Competition Commission of India (CCI) found Amazon India and Flipkart guilty of violating competition laws by favoring select sellers on their platforms.
- Both companies will have the opportunity to review the report and file objections before fines are decided.
- The CCI's investigation, initiated in 2020, revealed that preferred sellers received advantages such as better listings and deep discounts.
- The watchdog noted that these practices had a catastrophic impact on market competition, especially in the mobile phone segment.
- This development follows multiple legal challenges and a Supreme Court ruling allowing the investigation to proceed. 

 Source: [Inc42](https://inc42.com/buzz/cci-finds-flipkart-amazon-india-guilty-of-flouting-antitrust-rules/)

CCI Finds Flipkart & Amazon India Guilty Of Flouting Antitrust Rules

Welcome to Indian Startups's Private Community

This is absolutely harsh from Google

The App Store  and Play Store are a duopoly and we have allowed them way too much power. Atleast Android has options but Apple is a complete walled garden and they won the lawsuit against Epic like wtf

Founder

- Appario, a former top seller on Amazon India, filed a lawsuit against the Competition Commission of India (CCI) to quash an antitrust report.
- The report allegedly details how Amazon India gave preferential treatment to certain sellers, including Appario, violating competition laws.
- Appario, a joint venture between Amazon and Patni Group, was internally referred to as a “special” merchant, benefiting from discounts.
- CCI has been investigating Amazon and Flipkart for four years, with potential penalties up to 10% of their global turnover.
- In July 2024, Appario Retail was sold to Clicktech, but the antitrust probe continues.

Source: [Inc42](https://inc42.com/buzz/amazons-delisted-seller-sues-competition-commission-of-india/)

Delisted Seller Appario Sues Competition Commission Over Amazon Antitrust Probe

- India's largest retail distributor group has requested an antitrust investigation into quick commerce companies Blinkit, Swiggy, and Zepto for alleged predatory pricing. 
- The All India Consumer Products Distributors Federation (AICPDF) claims these firms are offering deep discounts and selling below cost to attract customers. 
- The AICPDF alleges that traditional salespeople are being sidelined as consumer goods companies deal directly with quick commerce firms. 
- Quick commerce, promising deliveries within 10 minutes, is a growing trend in India, challenging e-commerce giants like Amazon. 
- The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has the power to initiate an investigation if it finds merit in the complaints.

Source: [Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/indian-retail-group-seeks-antitrust-probe-quick-commerce-companies-swiggy-2024-10-20/)

Indian Retail Group Calls for Antitrust Probe into Quick Commerce Firms

- Epic Games and Spotify are leveraging new European regulations to bypass Apple's control over the App Store.
- Epic Games announced the launch of an alternative app store for iPhone users in Europe, starting with three games.
- Spotify has begun directing European users to its website for subscriptions, a move previously restricted by Apple.
- Apple is facing similar regulatory pressures in the U.S., with ongoing legal battles and high fees for alternative payment systems.
- The European Commission has criticized Apple for not fully complying with digital-competition laws, threatening significant fines. 

 Source: [WSJ](https://www.wsj.com/tech/epic-games-apple-app-store-europe-44ceda50?mod=tech_lead_story)

Apple's Grip on App Store Weakens in Europe Amid New Regulations

- The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) accuses the Competition Commission of India (CCI) of mishandling investigations into **Amazon** and **Flipkart**.
- CAIT alleges these ecommerce giants have been bypassing regulations, using proxy sellers to control inventory and dominate listings.
- The body criticises the CCI for not taking decisive action on numerous complaints, and for separating investigations into Amazon and Flipkart, prolonging the process.
- CAIT also expresses concerns about alleged bias within the CCI’s antitrust division, suggesting favouritism towards the ecommerce giants.
- CAIT recently released a white paper, calling for a dedicated ecommerce regulator to address unfair trade practices in the Indian ecommerce market.

Source: [Inc42](https://inc42.com/buzz/cait-alleges-inaction-in-ccis-probe-against-amazon-flipkart/)

CAIT Accuses CCI of Inaction in Amazon & Flipkart Probe

As an avid follower of the tech industry, I can't help but marvel at Apple's unprecedented achievement in 2023. For the first time ever, Apple has managed to outsell every other smartphone manufacturer, including the long-reigning Samsung. This is no small feat, especially considering the renewed competition from Huawei and the overall soft spending sentiment in the market. Apple's climb to the top spot is nothing short of a tremendous success.

But let's not forget the other players in the game. The 'other' category, which includes brands like Transsion and Xiaomi, grew by 19% year-over-year, stealing market share from almost all top vendors except Apple. This indicates a significant shift in consumer preferences towards premium devices, a trend that Apple has capitalized on with aggressive trade-in offers and interest-free financing plans.

However, this victory is not without its controversies. While Apple enjoys its moment in the sun, it's worth noting that the overall smartphone market declined by 3.2% in 2023, hitting a decade low. This raises questions about the sustainability of Apple's growth in a shrinking market. Moreover, the intense competition within the Android space, with brands like OnePlus, Honor, and Google launching competitive devices, adds another layer of complexity to Apple's success story.

So, is Apple's triumph a sign of its unparalleled innovation and market strategy, or is it merely a temporary win in a volatile market? Only time will tell, but one thing is clear: the battle for smartphone supremacy is far from over.

Did Apple Really Overtake Samsung as the Top Smartphone Seller in 2023?

Software Architect

Now on this post just let me highlight few points as read from CCI vs google legal battle.
1. Google incentivize all the android manufacturere to not preload any app store(eg: thats why samsung store is laying like a undercontructed producted ).
2. To pre load any of google aap the OEM has to put all the apps that google want or esle play security wont pass.
3. You can not host any app which redirect to another app store or behave like app store on play store.
As you can see how google used android , a "open source" eco system to force this google play billing system.
Now android occupy 94% of user base here so its either on play store or you miss market. Sideloading is errered with crazy level of steps and warnings to prevent on play store app deployment.
And as a bonus as google TnC say you can use 3rd party billing for "digital services" why is youtube still on play store it dont use google play billing system.
Also google want the payment details of every transaction. Basically it want to study next profitable business to either buy it or clone it and with transaction details its much easier.

Delisting of 10 apps and the startups vs google

Software Developer

Full document link : https://www.justice.gov/opa/media/1344546/dl?inline

First paragraph of the complaint against Apple

Corporate Strategist

AnupamMittal on Twitter

Google is becoming the new East India company for online business

Few apps delisted are names such as Shaadi.com, OTT platform STAGE, social media app FRND. 
This might be temporary and these companies would get it live again, but is shd make us think the monopoly Google and apple has made in their respective ecosystem, Need of open and transparent third option , Google has a very high commission on transaction made via Play Store, Spotify had this issue earlier as well

India Antitrust Probe Finds Apple Abused Position in Apps Market

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Famous apps being delisted, can phonepe new appstore use this as a good opportunity