Now Reading: SC questions app developers on opting out of Google’s billing system
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SC questions app developers on opting out of Google’s billing system
The Story in Brief
The Supreme Court on Tuesday, 3 November 2026, asked app developers whether their contracts with Google allowed them to opt out of its payment system and use alternative providers, as it heard appeals against a Madras High Court judgment on Google's Play Store billing policies. A Bench of Justices P S Narasimha and Alok Aradhe is examining whether the dispute should be heard in a civil court or by the Competition Commission of India (CCI). Google argued that the CCI had already scrutinised its billing framework and found no excessive fees.
The developers, including Matrimony.com and Info Edge, contend that Google's policies impose restrictive payment conditions and restrict their choice of payment processors, in violation of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act and RBI guidelines. The court also asked both sides to file submissions on whether there is a conflict between the Payment and Settlement Systems Act 2007 and the Competition Commission of India Act 2002. The next hearing is scheduled for December 1.
Indian Opinion Analysis
Business Standard led with the Supreme Court's query to app developers about opting out of Google's billing system, while the Economic Times led with the court's decision to examine jurisdictional forum. Business Standard reported Google's argument that the CCI had already scrutinised the fees, whereas the Economic Times focused on the court's observation that the case relates more to the Payment and Settlement Systems Act than to the Competition Act. Both outlets reported the court's adjournment to December 1. The different leads reflect which angle each outlet considered primary: one highlights the contractual choice and the other the forum dispute. The most concrete open point is the Supreme Court's next hearing on December 1, where it will decide if civil courts or the CCI can hear the case.
Coverage: 2 sources, 2 neutral
Sources (2): business-standard.com (neutral report), economictimes.indiatimes.com (neutral report)
This brief was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above, so one read covers every framing they carry. Methodology and corrections.
