Brussels and Google battle it out-because of Android – Economic

Google has a strategy to strengthen the dominant position in mobile devices, with regard to general search services on the Internet, says the preliminary opinion of the European Commission. On the one hand, he says, these practices mean that Google Search is installed by default on most Android devices. On the other, they seem to impede market access for competing search engines. Brussels also notes that such practices seem to harm consumers by stifling competition and innovation in this field.

The European Commissioner for Competition states that “the importance for consumers and for businesses in Europe a competitive sector mobile Internet is growing. ” To Margrethe Vestager research has made to date suggests that “Google’s behavior prevents consumers a wider choice of mobile applications and services.” Therefore, responsible for DGComp states that “Google now has the opportunity to respond to the Commission’s doubts.” The notice to Google follows the lawsuit filed in April last year, which is independent of the ongoing formal investigation into other behaviors of Google, including Web content copy competitors, advertising exclusivity and undue restrictions on advertisers.

According to the European Commission, the ‘smartphones’ and ‘tablets’ account for more than half of global Internet traffic, and it is expected that they will represent an even higher percentage in the future. According to Brussels, about 80% of smart mobile devices in Europe and the world work with mobile operating system Android, developed by Google. In addition, the Commission notes that Google grants licenses of its mobile operating system Android to third-party mobile device manufacturers.

The position of DGComp in relation to Google based on Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning the European Union, which prohibits abuse of a dominant position which may affect trade and prevent or restrict competition. The Commission’s approach is to adopt a position of principle procedure against Alphabet – parent company Google. This is a formal step in the research process, and there is no legal deadline for the completion of investigations.

Google ensures competition

No affront Brussels, the Google issued a statement where it says eager “to work with the European Commission to show careful how we designed the Android model and in a way that is good for competition and for consumers.” Google’s statement said that “our agreements with partners have helped to promote a remarkable – and above all sustainable – ecosystem based on the software ‘open source and open innovation.”

The document US company -American states that it takes “very seriously” the Commission’s concerns about the impact of the Android system innovation. Google’s statement said that “we also believe that our business model keeps costs low manufacturers and provides them with a high flexibility at the same time providing consumers with unprecedented control over their mobile devices.”

For Google, the agreements “with partners are entirely voluntary” and manufacturers “undertake to test and certify that their devices will support the Android applications.” In addition, it states that “any manufacturer can choose to load a Google application set on your device and freely add other applications.” Caveat, however, that “while Android is free for manufacturers to use, is quite costly to develop, improve, keep it safe and defend Android in patent lawsuits.” He concludes that “it is simple and easy for users to personalize their devices and unload their applications – including applications that compete directly with ours.”