14 DAY TRIAL // Back in April, the EU competition enforcer accused Google of demanding mobile phone makers to pre-install Google Search and Google Chrome browser on smartphones so that they would get access to Google apps.
Reuters reported that the EU competition enforcer have Google until September 20 to respond to charges brought back in April. Then, the European Commission issued a Statement of Objections against Google's practices.
It seems the Commission was displeased with the fact that the Mountain View-based company required smartphone manufacturers to pre-install Google Search and Google Chrome browser, as well as set Google Search as the default search service on handsets so that they could later use Google proprietary apps.
In addition, the company prevented manufacturers from selling smart mobile devices running on competing OS based on Android open source code. Google even went so far as to give financial incentives to manufacturers and mobile network operators so that they could exclusively pre-install Google Search on their devices.
Google was fined for violating antitrust regulations earlier this month
Kent Walker, SVP and general counsel at Google, told TechCrunch at the time that “we look forward to working with the European Commission to demonstrate that Android is good for competition and good for consumers.” He also stressed that “anyone can use Android without Google,” an example in this regard being Amazon.
Google was initially given a deadline of July 27 to respond to charges, but the company requested an extension until September 7. The EC provided Google with an extension until September 20. Google is risking a $7.4 billion fine or 10% of its global turnover.
Earlier this month, Google was fined $6.75 million over Android antitrust violations. The claim made by Russian company Yandex was roughly the same, with the company accusing Google of requiring smartphone and tablet manufacturers to install Search, Maps, and other services as part of the Play store package. However, the company is risking a much bigger fine from the EC unless it can provide a response to satisfy the Commission on September 20.