
European regulators are none too happy with the tech giant, and look intent on making them pay.
Google has fallen afoul of European Union regulators — big time. Alphabet Inc., Google’s parent company, is facing a major fine over what the EU sees as anticompetitive practices involving the Android mobile operating software, according to a CNET report.
Basically, EU regulators don’t think Alphabet should be paying phone makers to preinstall Google search, and if EU thinks this is still happening, they may hit the company with a big fine.
The European Commission has accused the tech giant of having unfair business practices for months now, claiming that Alphabet is not allowing phone makers access to Google’s Play Store unless the apps are preinstalled.
The EU is also considering fining Alphabet over the Google Shopping service over the argument that Google favors it over rival services.
“The European Commission has informed Google of its preliminary view that the company has, in breach of EU antitrust rules, abused its dominant position by imposing restrictions on Android device manufacturers and mobile network operators,” the EU wrote in an April statement. “The Commission’s preliminary view is that Google has implemented a strategy on mobile devices to preserve and strengthen its dominance in general internet search. First, the practices mean that Google Search is pre-installed and set as the default, or exclusive, search service on most Android devices sold in Europe. Second, the practices appear to close off ways for rival search engines to access the market, via competing mobile browsers and operating systems. In addition, they also seem to harm consumers by stifling competition and restricting innovation in the wider mobile space.”
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