The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has determined that Google unfairly used its dominant position in Internet search to bias search results. The commission has fined the company 1.36 billion rupees ($21.2 million).
It found that Google would direct people searching for details on airline flights to its own flight search page. This placed competing businesses at a disadvantage by making it difficult for them to gain market access.
The finding was reached with a 4-2 majority with 2 members dissenting.
A Google spokesperson has said that the company is reviewing the CCI’s findings.
The ruling comes after Bharat Matrimony, a matchmaker site in India, and Consumer Unity and Trust Society (CUTS), a consumer protection group, filed a complaint in 2012.
Google’s spokesperson said that the report confirms that, for most of the issues examined by the CCI, their methods are in compliance with Indian law. They also said that Google is focused on making adjustments to support the changing needs of their users.
The fine is about 5% of Googles annual revenue in India. Overall, though, the fine is not expected to have much impact on the company. Last week, they announced quarterly profits of $6.8 billion for their parent company, Alphabet.
The fine is also small compared to a recent fine from the European Commission. That group fined the tech giant $2.7 billion for directing users to its own shopping service. Google is appealing that fine.
Naval Chopra is a partner at the law firm Shardul Amarchand. He represented Bharat Matrimony in the case. He expressed surprise at the small fine.
In the report, the CCI also chastises the tech firm for failing to provide the revenue data in the time provided, Reuters reports.
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Notably, the CCI did not find any contravention in regards to the company’s search design, AdWords or online distribution agreements.
Google has 60 days to pay the fine.
