Google loses bid to block Indian Android antitrust ruling in major setback

India's top court refuses to block Android antitrust rulingGoogle may need to review Android business model in IndiaCourt extends implementation date of Indian order by a

weekGoogle has said India order could stall Android growthNEW DELHI, Jan 19 (Reuters) - Google on Thursday lost its fight in India's Supreme Court to block an antitrust order, in a

major setback that will force the U.S. tech giant to change the business model of its popular Android operating system in a key growth market.The Competition Commission of India

(CCI) ruled in October that Google, which is owned by Alphabet Inc (GOOGL.O), exploited its dominant position in Android and told it to remove restrictions imposed on device

makers, including related to pre-installation of apps. It also fined Google $161 million.Google challenged the order in the Supreme Court, saying it would hurt consumers and its

business. It warned growth of the Android ecosystem could stall and it would be forced to alter arrangements with more than 1,100 device manufacturers and thousands of app

developers. Google also said "no other jurisdiction has ever asked for such far-reaching changes".A three-judge bench at the Supreme Court, which included India's chief justice,

delayed the Jan. 19 implementation of the CCI's directives by one week, but declined to block them."We are not inclined to interfere," Chief Justice D.Y Chandrachud said.During the

hearing, Chandrachud told Google: "Look at the kind of authority which you wield in terms of dominance."About 97% of 600 million smartphones in India run on Android, according to

Counterpoint Research estimates. Apple (AAPL.O) has just a 3% share.India's top court asked a lower tribunal, which is already hearing the matter, to decide on Google's challenge

by March 31.Google did not respond to a request for comment.Google licenses its Android system to smartphone makers, but critics say it imposes restrictions such as mandatory

pre-installation of its own apps that are anti-competitive. The company argues such agreements help keep Android free.Faisal Kawoosa, founder of Indian research firm Techarc, said

the Supreme Court ruling meant Google may have to consider other business models in India, such as charging an upfront fee to startups to provide access to the Android platform and

its Play Store."At the end of the day, Google is for profit and has to look at measures that make it sustainable and power growth for its innovations," he said.Android has been the

subject of various investigations by regulators around the world. South Korea has fined Google for blocking customised versions of it to restrict competition, while the United