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EU commission receives new antitrust complaint against google

11 April 2013
EU commission receives new antitrust complaint against google

The European Commission has received an antitrust complaint about Google's Android mobile operating system. According to the complaint, filed by several of Google's competitors, including Microsoft, Nokia and Oracle, the search giant uses the dominant position of Android (allegedly more than 70% share of the smartphone market) to gain an unfair advantage. Though the system is open-source and free to use, Google is accused of requiring manufacturers who wish to include its services to give them a "prominent default placement" on the mobile device.

It is likely that any investigation into the Android operating system would be independent of the on-going investigation of Google's Internet search. That investigation began following similar accusations about Google using its dominant market position to gain an unfair advantage and it is expected that Google and the Commission will reach a settlement soon.

Google's services, such as its video sharing platform, YouTube and social network Google Plus are attracting more and more attention as they become available over an increasing number of platforms, from desktop and mobile operating systems to connected TVs.

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Richard Burnley

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