Mid last September, Russia’s local search engine Yandex won an antitrust complaint against Google. The case had something to do with Google pre-installing several products and apps on phones. Google’s services were the default on Android devices sold in the country.
The Russian Federal Antimonopoly Service finally handed a ruling against the Internet search giant and said that phones sold in the country must only have Google Play Store–no other app or product by Google must be pre-installed. That’s very clear but it was only recently that the agency set a deadline for Google to comply. The company was told to stop bundling by November 18.
Here’s what the FAS Commission specifically wrote:
“Google” violated the law by giving “Google Play” app store controlled by “Android” Operational System to the counteragents – vendors of mobile devices to pre-install it on the mobile devices to be sold in the Russian Federation under the conditions including mandatory pre-installment of “Google” applications and “Google” search system and mandatory priority positioning on the device home page.
So there’s a violation of law. We’re expecting for the full decision by FAS to be released. There’s already a document but it’s still in Russian but the gist is and based on a previous doc: “Google must adjust contracts with vendors of mobile devices”. Google is called to “to stop abusing dominance and exercise actions aimed at supporting competition” according to Alexei Dotsenko, FAS Deputy Head.
The Mountain View-company has yet to comment. It hasn’t even received the official decision yet. Google may be asked to pay a fine but we’re guessing the amount will be nothing to the Internet giant. Meanwhile, Yandex is happy and satisfied with the agency’s decision.
VIA: re/code
SOURCE: FAS
