Samsung is accused of violating Indian antitrust law

Samsung and other smartphone brands are accused of violating India's antitrust laws by collaborating with online retail giants Amazon and Flipkart to launch exclusive phones for those platforms. The report alleges that these firms gave preferential treatment to select retailers, harming others.

Samsung reportedly violated India's competition laws by launching exclusive online smartphones

According to a report by Reuters, Samsung, Motorola, Realme, OnePlus, Vivo and Xiaomi have collaborated with online retailers Amazon and Flipkart to launch exclusive smartphones. Antitrust investigations by India's antitrust regulator Competition Commission of India (CCI) found that Amazon and Flipkart violated local laws by giving preference to select retailers and prioritizing select offers.

A 1,027-page CCI report said Amazon and its subsidiaries colluded with five smartphone brands, including Motorola, OnePlus, Realme, Samsung and Xiaomi, to break competition laws. A separate 1,696-page CCI report found that Flipkart colluded with Lenovo, Motorola, Realme, Samsung, Vivo and Xiaomi to carry out similar predatory practices.

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These practices are likely to cause headaches for Samsung and other smartphone brands, according to the CCI reports. CCI Deputy Director General GV Siva Prasad wrote in the report: “Exclusivity is anathema in the business world. It is not only contrary to free and fair competition, but also to the interests of consumers.”

This report is dated August 9, 2024 and is not a public report. Reuters reports that it received the report exclusively from the CCI. Some of the accused brands, including Samsung, have been asked to submit their financial records for three fiscal years ending in 2024. According to this report, the CCI may impose fines on these companies in the coming months.