India-Specific 'IMADA' Licence Means Fewer Google Apps On Your Next Android Device

Android devices in India could soon come with fewer Google apps. According to an antitrust case by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) against Google, the American tech giant would be forced to change its software licensing agreements with original equipment manufacturer (OEMs) in India.

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An India-specific agreement is coming

A leaked report claims that manufacturers can continue to release Android devices in India under the global MADA (Mobile Application Distribution Agreement) or opt for the new IMADA licence - an India-specific agreement wherein phone manufacturers like Samsung and Motorola can say no to installing mandatory 11 Google apps that are loaded onto every Android device.

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Also read: Google To Change How Android Operates In India After Antitrust Ruling: Here's How

In addition, the IMADA agreement can also help manufacturers get rid of the Google search bar and more Google content on the home screen. When setting up the phone, users would be able to choose their default search engine. It appears that a new section called "Indian Placement Agreement" in IMADA will allow Google to have a "per-app bounty" of sorts - in case a manufacturer decides to include one of its apps.

If they decide to use IMADA, however, they can only release the specific device variant in India. If they go for MADA instead, they can release the same exact device (with identical software) to most of the world. pic.twitter.com/BNIF6lJeXQ

¡ª Kuba Wojciechowski ? (@Za_Raczke) February 18, 2023

These details were made public by tipster Kuba Wojciechowski on Twitter, who claims to have been able to access the document. While IMADA will give more flexibility to manufacturers, such devices can only be sold in India.

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Also read: India's Antitrust Body Denies 'Copy-Pasting' EU's Order Against Google

The report states that the only app to be bundled would be Play Store, but everything else including Google Search, Chrome, Drive, Gmail, Meet, maps, YouTube Music, Google Photos, YouTube, Google Play Movies and TV would be optional.

In a blog post last month, Google outlined certain changes that are coming to Android devices this year.

What do you think about this freedom being rolled out to manufacturers in India? Let us know in the comments below. For more in the world of technology and science, keep reading Indiatimes.com.