The European Commission has ruled that Google used the Android mobile operating system to illegally “cement its dominant position” in search. Google’s parent company Alphabet has been allowed 90 days to change its business practices or face further penalties equating to up to 5 per cent of its average global daily sales. Alphabet has been reported as saying that it will appeal the ruling.
The summary of the case:
Google required Android handset and tablet manufacturers to pre-install the Google search app and its own web browser Chrome as a condition to allowing them access to its Play app store
Google made payments to large manufacturers and mobile network operators that agreed to exclusively pre-install the Google Search app on their devices
Google prevented manufacturers from selling any smart devices powered by alternative “forked” versions of Android by threatening to refuse them permission to pre-install its apps.
Alphabet is currently appealing an earlier fine of £2.1bn over a separate case concerning its shopping comparison service.
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