Türkiye Launches New Antitrust Probe Into Google’s Android Deals

The move follows conclusions reached in the authority’s Mobile Ecosystems Sector Inquiry and, according a statement released by the board, those findings raised new red flags about whether Google’s contractual framework complies with Law No. 4054 on the Protection of Competition.

Per a statement from the authority, the formal decision to begin the probe was adopted on Jan. 8, 2026, under decision number 26-01/2-M. The board said it is concerned that Google’s current arrangements with device manufacturers could limit fair competition in Türkiye’s mobile technology markets.

In a separate announcement, the Competition Board said it will also levy an administrative fine against Google for allegedly breaching Law No. 4054 through its agreements with handset producers, as reported by Gazete Oksijen. According a statement from the regulator, the ongoing case will review these potential violations under Article 40 of the law.

Regulators are focusing in part on whether Google has meaningfully changed its business practices since a landmark 2018 ruling that found the company had abused its dominant position. Per a statement, officials want to determine if the firm genuinely opened its contracts to competition or merely adjusted their structure without altering their effect.

One area under scrutiny is how Google Search is promoted on Android devices. The board noted that Google no longer formally requires manufacturers to place its search widget on the home screen. However, under what is called the Google Search Placement Agreement, all licensed manufacturers have still chosen to install Google’s widget and have not included competing search tools in prominent positions, according a statement by the authority.

Read more: Judge Rejects Multibillion-Dollar Penalty Request in Google Privacy Case

The investigation is also examining revenue-sharing arrangements that may influence manufacturers’ decisions. Per a statement from the board, the Türkiye Revenue Sharing Agreement offers financial incentives for setting Google Search as the default option. Regulators believe this could create a “guiding effect” that steers partners toward Google’s services, particularly when combined with default advantages from apps like Google Chrome and Google Voice Assistant.

Browser competition is another major focus. According a statement, Google’s licensing model requires phone makers to preinstall Chrome, include it in the core group of applications, and make it the default browser. The board is assessing whether these obligations limit rivals’ ability to compete in the mobile browser space.

Authorities are also revisiting clauses related to alternative operating systems. Per a statement, some provisions prevent manufacturers from developing their own systems based on Android’s open-source code or from using third-party platforms built on that code. While similar restrictions were not deemed illegal in 2018, the board said changing market dynamics may now justify a new evaluation.

In a public notice, the Competition Board emphasized that Google’s existing contract structure could raise serious concerns under Law No. 4054, signaling that the latest inquiry may have significant implications for how Android operates in Türkiye’s competitive landscape.

Source: TurkiyeToday