Antitrust Case 40099 | Google Android

Summary:

Information Guide concerning an in-depth investigation carried out by the European Commission over Google's conduct as regards the mobile operating system Android.

Further information:

In April 2015, the European Commission opened an antitrust investigation into Google's conduct as regards the mobile operating system Android. As a result of that investigation, the Commission sent on 20 April 2016 a Statement of Objections to Google, following a preliminary view that the company had abused its dominant position by imposing restrictions on Android device manufacturers and mobile network operators. On 18 July 2018, the Commission announced its decision to fine Google €4.34 billion for breaching EU antitrust rules, largely confirming the conclusions of its preliminary view.

In particular, the Commission concluded that Google:

• required manufacturers to pre-install the Google Search app and browser app (Chrome), as a condition for licensing Google's app store (the Play Store);
• made payments to certain large manufacturers and mobile network operators on condition that they exclusively pre-installed the Google Search app on their devices;
• prevented manufacturers wishing to pre-install Google apps from selling even a single smart mobile device running on alternative versions of Android that were not approved by Google.

Official

European Commission: DG Competition: Public Case Register: 40099 | Google Android http://ec.europa.eu/competition/elojade/isef/case_details.cfm?proc_code=1_40099

European Commission: Fact Sheet, 15/04/2015: Commission opens formal investigation against Google in relation to Android mobile operating system https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/MEMO_15_4782

European Commission: Press Release, 20/04/2016: Antitrust: Commission sends Statement of Objections to Google on Android operating system and applications https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_16_1492

European Commission: Fact Sheet, 20/04/2016: Antitrust: Commission sends Statement of Objections to Google on Android operating system and applications https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/MEMO_16_1484

European Commission: Statement by Commissioner Vestager on sending a Statement of Objections to Google on Android operating system and applications (20 April 2016) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/STATEMENT_16_1506

Google: In Europe Blog, 20/04/2016: Android’s model of open innovation https://blog.google/around-the-globe/google-europe/androids-model-of-open-innovation/

European Commission: Press Release, 18/07/2018: Commission fines Google €4.34 billion for illegal practices regarding Android mobile devices to strengthen dominance of Google's search engine https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_18_4581

Europpean Commission: Statement by Commissioner Vestager on Commission decision to fine Google €4.34 billion for illegal practices regarding Android mobile devices to strengthen dominance of Google's search engine (18 July 2018) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/STATEMENT_18_4584

Gloogle: In Europe Blog, 18/07/2018: Android has created more choice, not less https://www.blog.google/around-the-globe/google-europe/android-has-created-more-choice-not-less/

EurActiv, 20/07/2018: Trump threatens EU for 'taking advantage' of the US https://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/trump-threatens-eu-for-taking-advantage-of-the-us/

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News

Reuters, 25/09/2015: Google faces renewed U.S. antitrust scrutiny, this time over Android http://www.reuters.com/article/us-google-antitrust-idUSKCN0RP0WR20150925

Politico, 19/04/2016: Margrethe Vestager to charge Google Wednesday: sources https://www.politico.eu/article/margrethe-vestager-to-charge-android-wednesday-sources/

The Guardian, 19/04/2016: EU chief to charge Google over anti-competitive practices, sources say https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/apr/19/eu-chief-to-charge-google-over-anti-competitive-practices-sources-say

Deutsche Welle, 20/04/2016: EU charges Google with violation of competition rules http://dw.com/p/1IZ0Y

The Wall Street Journal, 20/04/2016: EU Files Formal Charges Against Google Over Android Conduct http://www.wsj.com/articles/eu-files-formal-charges-against-google-over-android-conduct-1461145354

Politico, 20/04/2016: European Commission charges Google over Android http://www.politico.eu/article/commission-to-charge-google-over-search-engine-abuse/

BBC News, 20/04/2016: Google faces EU charge over Android 'abuse of dominance' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-36092441

EurActiv, 20/04/2016: EU opens new Google battle with Android charges https://www.euractiv.com/section/digital/news/eu-opens-new-google-battle-with-android-charges/

EUObserver, 20/04/2016: EU charges Google over Android https://euobserver.com/digital/133134

Politico, 20/04/2016: Europe’s Android case sharpens divide with US http://www.politico.eu/article/europes-android-case-sharpens-divide-with-us/

The New York Times, 21/04/2016: E.U. Charges Dispute Google’s Claims That Android Is Open to All https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/21/technology/google-europe-antitrust.html

EurActiv, 28/04/2016: Google defiant in face of EU claims https://www.euractiv.com/section/digital/news/google-defiant-in-face-of-eu-claims/

BBC News, 18/07/2018: Google hit with €4.3bn Android fine from EU https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-44858238

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Commentary and Analysis

Politico, 15/04/2016: Why Margrethe Vestager’s Android case terrifies Google http://www.politico.eu/article/why-margrethe-vestagers-android-case-is-googles-worst-nightmare/

Politico, 19/04/2016: 5 things to know about Margrethe Vestager’s Google probe http://www.politico.eu/article/5-things-to-know-about-margrethe-vestagers-google-probe/

The Guardian: Commentary, 24/04/2016: If the Eurocrats don’t take on Google, no one will be able to stop it http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/24/eurocrats-must-take-on-google-over-android-european-commission

Politico, 25/04/2016: Google’s winning card against Europe: time http://www.politico.eu/article/why-the-ec-may-ultimately-lose-the-android-case/

The New York Times, 28/04/2016: Google Shuts Out Competitors on Android? Hardly http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/28/technology/android-faces-monopoly-claims-as-its-users-tackle-an-abundance-of-choices.html?_r=0

Euro|topics, April 2016: EU puts pressure on Google https://www.eurotopics.net/en/158022/

The Conversation, 29/04/2016: What is the European Commission’s problem with Google and Android? https://theconversation.com/what-is-the-european-commissions-problem-with-google-and-android-58301

The Guardian, 18/07/2018: The EU fining Google over Android is too little, too late, say experts https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/jul/18/eu-fine-google-android-anti-competitive-behaviour-consumers

The New Yorker, 20/07/2018: Why Did the European Commission Fine Google Five Billion Dollars? https://www.newyorker.com/news/our-columnists/why-did-the-european-commission-fine-google-five-billion-dollars

Euro|topics, July 2018: EU imposes record fine on Google https://www.eurotopics.net/en/203226/

The Economist, 21/07/2018: Antitrust theatre. Google is fined €4.3bn in the biggest-ever antitrust penalty https://www.economist.com/business/2018/07/21/google-is-fined-eu4.3bn-in-the-biggest-ever-antitrust-penalty

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