In a move that could reshape India's digital economy, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) has ordered a comprehensive study examining whether structural separation — effectively breaking up — major technology platforms is necessary to ensure fair competition.
The study will focus on four companies: Google (search and advertising), Meta (social media), Amazon (e-commerce and cloud), and Apple (app distribution). The CCI has appointed a panel of economists, technologists, and legal experts to conduct the assessment over six months.
"Market dominance in digital platforms raises unique competition concerns that traditional regulatory tools may not adequately address," said CCI Chairperson Ravneet Kaur. "We need to examine whether structural remedies are necessary to protect consumer welfare and innovation."
The announcement follows similar initiatives in the EU and the United States, but India's approach is notable for its scope and the explicit mention of structural separation as a potential remedy.
Industry body NASSCOM called for a "balanced approach" that considers India's position as a major beneficiary of these platforms' investments. All four companies have said they will cooperate fully with the study.
