Google is no stranger to anti-trust lawsuits—especially when it comes to the popularity of its Android platform and the first-party app installation requirements to which it holds third-party handset makers—but European anti-trust regulators are preparing to bring a case against the search giant over that very issue.
It’s already been established in previous cases that in order to use the latest version of Android on their handsets, manufacturers must agree to also install a set of Google-branded apps, such as YouTube and Gmail. The European anti-trust regulators argue that this is an abuse of Google’s 80% marketshare that should be stopped.
Google is already facing one inquiry from regulators claiming that the company prioritizes its own services over those of competitors in search results. According to Reuters, the second inquiry is likely to be formally opened as soon as the first one is closed. If this inquiry leads to a decision that Google has violated anti-trust law, the company could face billions in fines.
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