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EU hits Google with Android monopoly charges

by on20 April 2016


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As we expected the EU has finally waded into Google for “abusing” its dominant position in the smartphone market by forcing device makers to adopt certain apps.

In a formal statement of objections against the company, the EU competition commission alleged Google had breached competition laws by requiring phone companies to pre-install Google Search and the Chrome browser on their devices, as a condition for getting licenses for more Google apps.

The commission also claimed Google prevents manufacturers from selling smartphones running other operating systems based on Android, and gives “financial incentives” to them on the condition they exclusively pre-install Google Search on their devices.

Competition boss Margethe Vestager said: “A competitive mobile internet sector is increasingly important for consumers and businesses in Europe. Based on our investigation thus far, we believe that Google's behaviour denies consumers a wider choice of mobile apps and services and stands in the way of innovation by other players, in breach of EU antitrust rules.”

The commission's concerns are over the “unjustified restrictions” Google places on manufacturers of Android smartphones, who are “not free” to choose which search engines or browsers to install on their smartphones.

While Apple does the same thing with its iPhone, it does not license its operating system to any other manufacturer and there there are not so many iPhones in the market. Almost two-thirds of the smartphones in Europe run Android so any bad behaviour affects millions.

In a statement, Google general counsel and senior vice president Kent Walker said:

“Android has helped foster a remarkable - and, importantly, sustainable - ecosystem, based on open-source software and open innovation. We look forward to working with the European Commission to demonstrate that Android is good for competition and good for consumer."

Last modified on 20 April 2016
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