Google loses appeal in Russian Android antitrust case

[steven36]

Firm could be forced to change its business practices in the country

 

 

A RUSSIAN COURT has dealt a blow to Google by ruling that the company has violated the country's antitrust rules by forcing its own services to be bundled on Android-based devices.

 

The suit first began last September when the Federal Anti-monopoly Service (FAS) said that Google is "abusing" its position in the mobile market, having completed a six-month investigation into the firm following a complaint from Yandex, a Russian rival to Google.

 

Following its probe, the FAS ruled that Google broke Russian law by requiring the country's manufacturers to bundle its apps on Android devices that came with the Play Store pre-installed, which also means that manufacturers aren’t allowed to include apps that compete with Google’s.

 

On Monday, Moscow's Arbitration Court threw out Google's appeal against that ruling and said that it "fully supports" the FAS' earlier decision.

 

"Google['s] actions led to prohibition of pre-installation of apps of other producers," it said.

 

Following the ruling, Google will be required to change its business practices with smartphone makers in Russia, or face a hefty fine. 

 

Google declined to comment, but back in November said it found the decision by the FAS to be "unfounded".

 

"Android is an open and free platform, and the manufacturer can use it the way they want. In Russia, there are a lot of mobile devices of different brands such as ZTE, Xiaomi, Gionee and others. Android is the freedom of choice and open competition, and that's great," it added.

 

This ruling could have bigger implications for Google, as the firm is facing similar scrutiny here in Europe, where it commands almost 90 percent of the mobile market.

 

The European Commission launched an investigation into Google last year to look into the firm's bundling practices and whether its control over Android systems allows its apps to dominate the market.

 

The Source