The antitrust investigation that the European Commission today opened the Google operating system on phones and ‘tablets’ Androide originated from two complaints, according to Brussels information.
Following complaints, the European Commission wants to determine whether Google violated competition laws with agreements or abused a possible dominant position in the field of operating systems, applications and services for mobile devices.
The in-depth investigation of the European Commission wants to investigate whether Google violated EU rules on antitrust, to hinder the development and access to the operating system market, applications and services to mobile competitors, to the detriment of consumers and of those who develop innovative products and services.
“The smart phones, the ‘tablets’ and other similar devices play an increasingly important role in the daily lives of many people and I intend to ensure that markets in this area can flourish without anticompetitive restrictions imposed by any company, “considered the European Commissioner for Competition, Margrethe Vestage, at a press conference.
This process adds to another, started in November 2010, for abuse of dominant position by this company in general services markets of Internet search, the European Economic Area, which means a systematic favoring their price comparison services – ‘google shopping. “- on the results pages of the general search
As part of this research, Brussels sent Google a Objections Communication considering that this violated the antitrust rules of the European Union, given that stifles competition and hurts consumers.
At issue is, according to Commissioner, the suspicion that the multinational favors its own price comparison service, “in violation of EU rules on restrictive agreements and abuse of dominant position”.
Brussels suspicion that users of Google search engine – which represents 90% of searches made on the Internet in most European countries -. “not necessarily receive the most relevant results in response to their demands”
Vestager stressed that Brussels is willing to go to its logical conclusion, applying a fine if it is established misconduct of Google.
A possible fine in this context may exceed six billion dollars since it amounts to 10% of turnover.
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