Major tech companies discussed by Parliamentary Assembly ahead of upcoming fair competition framework for digital markets
A parliamentary panel reported that Big Tech companies including Apple, Google, Amazon, Facebook, Twitter, Netflix and Uber were accused of anticompetitive behavior on Tuesday. The panel discussed a legal framework to ensure fair competition in the country, according to a report. The move comes shortly after the European Union passed the Digital Markets Act, which comes into force from next year. Last month, the congressional committee had previously questioned representatives of eight companies including Zomato, Swiggy, Flipkart and MakeMyTrip.
According to a PTI report, members of the debate panel, led by Union Minister Jayant Sinha, have suggested that they want legislation “that is not business-unfriendly but at the same time protects protect the interests of consumers.”
The panel also suggested that large tech companies should “leave the limited wisdom of legislators to regulate as they see fit,” after the companies suggested that regulation should not be necessary. additional determination, according to the report.
Among the representatives present at Tuesday’s hearing were Amazon India Country Manager, Consumer Business, Manish Tiwary; and Apple India Policy and Strategy Executive Director, Virat Bhatia. Facebook India’s Chief Public Policy Officer Rajiv Aggarwal; Google India’s Director of Government Affairs and Public Policy Archana Gulati; Netflix Director of India, Head of India Policy Ambika Khurana; Twitter India’s Senior Director of Public Policy Samiran Gupta; Uber India and South Asia President Prabhjeet Singh, among other representatives, was also removed before the panel, according to the report.
The panel is working on a report – scheduled for the first week of September – on the development of competition law for the digital market that will specifically address issues related to conduct. competition and competitive behaviour, the minister said after the meeting, adding that the council will also study issues related to pricing, platform neutrality and how data is used across regions. adjacent market.
The minister also stated that the report will consider the special circumstances of the country, but will “closely examine and review competition law related to digital markets around the world”. Last month, EU through the the Digital Markets Acta set of landmark rules designed to control tech giants including Google, Amazon, Apple, Metaand Microsoft.
