Apple, Microsoft, Netflix Called In Indian Antitrust Hearing

Technology companies such as Apple, Microsoft and Netflix are being invited to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance’s hearings next week on alleged anti-competitive practices of big tech firms.

“We are extending invitations to Meta, Google, Apple, Microsoft, Netflix and others. Even if  they are not able to attend, there will be representatives from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs and the Competition Commission of India (to communicate their own positions on the matter),” said Jayant Sinha, chairperson of the committee and a Member of Parliament from the Bharatiya Janata Party.

On July 21, the committee conducted a hearing that was attended by top executives of eight domestic tech firms, including Paytm founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma and OYO founder Ritesh Agarwal. Representatives from Flipkart, MakeMyTrip, Zomato and Swiggy also attended the meeting.

“We covered a wide range of topics as digital markets cover everything from e-commerce to ride sharing. After all the hearings are concluded, we will present our findings in a report,” said Sinha.

According to people in the know, there were discussions about widening the ambit of CCI’s powers with regards to the tech industry. Moreover, alleged unfair practices by big tech companies to further their dominance, commissions charged by tech platforms and allegations of predatory pricing also came up.

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