Monopoly threat
Google is criticized in Germany for its software in cars. The mandatory linking of its services with Android Automotive may have a restrictive effect on competition.
In Germany, Google may have to stop supplying the Google Maps map service, the Play Store app store and the Google Voice smart assistant with its operating system for cars. The German competition watchdog Bundeskartellamt believes that Google may be restricting competition with the mandatory linking of those services with Android Automotive.
Google is trying to become an important supplier to the automotive industry with Android Automotive. That operating system is built into cars from the Swedish-Chinese brand Polestar, Volvo and Renault, among others. The Bundeskartellamt believes that Google is using its position to conquer the car market as well. In particular, the fact that Google only shares advertising revenue with car manufacturers who promise to only install Google’s smart assistant or set Google’s services as standard, may be in violation of European competition rules. “Such institutions create the risk that alternative services are not noticed and are therefore hardly used,” says the German regulator. “Google has already used such practices with mobile devices to increase its market position.”
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl