EU: Is the EC preparing to file an antitrust complaint against Google’s Android?

According to Bloomberg Business, the European Union may still be seeking to bring an antitrust complaint against Google regarding its Android operating system. Roughly five years ago, Microsoft and a coalition of other businesses banded together to persuade the European Union to look into possible anticompetitive practices Google may be leveraging with its search engine results.

In particular, the EU is reported to be looking into if Google has leveraged its pre-bundling agreement to deter or stop altogether, mobile manufacturers from building and marketing their apps, stores, and versions of the Android operating system. With apps such as Chrome, Google Search, and the Play Store are front and center on a device, Google’s heavy handed pre-bundling may be robbing independent developers of a legitimate chance to compete.

Similar to Apple’s approach of providing first party solutions front and center on its devices, Google can be seen increasingly encroaching on fair and competitive practices despite being the gateway to a million plus apps, by putting its apps ahead of others.

Bloomberg Business also cites an order issued by Russia’s antitrust authorities last year that had Google renegotiate its ambiguous agreement with mobile device manufacturers. After complaints from Russian search engine provider, Yandex sought to address Google’s default options set to drive traffic to its services over that of local competition.

Full Content: Bloomberg

Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.