EU lays antitrust charges against Google over locking in Android apps and features

As anticipated, the European Commission on Wednesday pressed a new set of antitrust charges against Google, saying the company is hindering competition by locking in certain Android apps, or even versions of Android, despite it being an open-source operating system.

The charges trace back to an April 2013 complaint by FairSearch, a coalition of tech companies, the Wall Street Journal said. Specifically, the Commission notes that Google requires Android device makers to preload Google Search and Chrome — and set Google as the default search option — if they want to include any other Google services, like Maps or even the Play store. The company is also offering financial incentives to carriers and device makers to preinstall Google Search.

Manufacturers are also often prevented from running alternate operating systems based on Android code, the Commission said. While there are forks of Android — like OxygenOS on OnePlus phones — most major smartphone makers, like Samsung and Motorola, will only apply skins and custom apps.

Prior to this week the Commission was already looking into other aspects of Google's business practices, such as whether it abuses its control of search in other fields, and whether it deters websites from placing ads that compete with its own network. Mobile, though, is a particularly sensitive realm for Google, since Android was conceived partly to tap into growing mobile ad revenue.

Depending on the Commission's findings, Google could face a fine of up to 10 percent of its annual global revenue for each charge, which would cost it billions. Alternately the two parties might come to a settlement, but regarding the Android charges, Google has insisted it will show that the OS "helped foster a remarkable — and, importantly, sustainable — ecosystem, based on open-source software and open innovation."

49 Comments

ericthehalfbee 13 Years · 4489 comments

About 8 years ago

Good. This is common sense and it actually surprises me to see so many people supporting Google.

Actually, it doesn't surprise me. Considering the trash that the fanatics post about Android it makes sense they'd try to spin this in Google's favor as well.

gatorguy 13 Years · 24630 comments

Google's point response:

Our partner agreements are entirely voluntary -- anyone can use Android without Google. Try it—you can download the entire operating system for free, modify it how you want, and build a phone. And major companies like Amazon do just that.
Manufacturers who want to participate in the Android ecosystem commit to test and certify that their devices will support Android apps. Without this system, apps wouldn’t work from one Android device to the next. Imagine how frustrating it would be if an app you downloaded on one Android phone didn’t also work on your replacement Android phone from the same manufacturer.
Any manufacturer can then choose to load the suite of Google apps to their device and freely add other apps as well. For example, phones today come loaded with scores of pre-installed apps (from Microsoft, Facebook, Amazon, Google, mobile carriers, and more).
Of course while Android is free for manufacturers to use, it’s costly to develop, improve, keep secure, and defend against patent suits. We provide Android for free, and offset our costs through the revenue we generate on our Google apps and services we distribute via Android.
And it’s simple and easy for users to personalize their devices and download apps on their own -- including apps that directly compete with ours. The popularity of apps like Spotify, WhatsApp, Angry Birds, Instagram, Snapchat and many more show how easy it is for consumers to use new apps they like. Over 50 billion apps have been downloaded on Android.

http://googlepolicyeurope.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/androids-model-of-open-innovation.html

[Deleted User] 11 Years · 0 comments

I read the google response and they don't answer any of the charges. it read like a politician's statement, saying plenty without saying anything at all.

adm1 said:

I read the google response and they don't answer any of the charges. it read like a politician's statement, saying plenty without saying anything at all.

What part of their statement doesn't sound sensical? I'm personally not buying into all of it but what to you isn't "saying anything". Seems to me the response applies to the EU claims which is far from not saying anything.

Also for what it's worth calling FairSearch a "coalition of tech companies" is not terribly descriptive nor accurate IMO. When the complaint was originally filed it was for all intents a Microsoft front organization, not a group looking out for the consumer. Earlier this year and just before the EU commish decided to bring formal charges MS removed themselves from the picture with Nokia and Oracle now leading it. They aren't out to protect the consumer either.

FairSearch would not be interested in a FairPicture or a FairOutcome for users. Their interests are business-related and fracturing Android (more than it is) and bringing along collateral damage to users of Android devices fits their goals.