Antitrust sting on Google which the competition authority has imposed a fine of 102 million euros for violating Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union which prohibits the abuse of a dominant position. Practice to which the American giant would have resorted to penalizing the services of competitors in favor of its own. As in the refusal to install the Enel X app on Android Auto, which allows functional services for charging electric vehicles to facilitate the use of Google Maps.
According to the Authority “through the Android operating system and the Google Play app store, the Google search engine holds a dominant position that allows it to control the access of app developers to end users”. This is not a secondary problem since in Italy, as the Antitrust points out, “about three quarters of smartphones use Android. Furthermore, Google is an absolutely important operator, on a global level, in the context of the so-called digital economy and has a very significant financial strength ».
The investigation was opened on May 8, 2019 on the recommendation of Enel X Italia which in February of the same year accused Google of not allowing it to publish a version of its JuicePass app compatible with Android Auto.
According to the Antitrust, Google’s refusal to make the Enel X Italia app available “has unfairly limited the possibilities for users to use the Enel X Italia app when they are driving an electric vehicle and need to charging. In this way, Google has favored its own Google Maps app, which can be used on Android Auto and allows functional services for charging electric vehicles, currently limited to the search for charging stations and navigation but which in the future may include other features, for example booking and payment ».
Moreover, the exclusion of Juice App has lasted for over two years and “the continuation of this conduct – writes the Antitrust – could definitively compromise the possibility for Enel X Italia to build a solid user base, in a phase of significant growth in sales of electric vehicles. Furthermore, the JuicePass app could get out of the category of applications used by users, causing a significant reduction in consumer choice and an obstacle to technological progress ».
On the other hand, Google’s explanation that “Android Auto’s number one priority is to ensure that apps can be used safely while driving is different. This is why we have strict guidelines on the types of apps supported, based on the regulatory standards of the sector and tests on distraction at the wheel. There are thousands of applications compatible with Android Auto and our goal is to allow even more developers to make their apps available over time. We respectfully disagree with the decision of the Agcm, we will examine the documentation and evaluate the next steps ».
The Authority, however, believes that Google’s conduct may influence the development of electric mobility in “a crucial phase of its launch, in particular as regards the strengthening of an infrastructure network for recharging electric cars suitable for the growth and evolution of the demand for top-up services ». An obstacle that could have negative repercussions «on the spread of electric vehicles, on the use of“ clean ”energy and on the transition towards more sustainable mobility from an environmental point of view».
This is why, in addition to the fine, the Antitrust Authority has ordered Google to make tools for programming interoperable apps with Android Auto available to Enel X Italia, as well as other app developers. The authority also undertakes to supervise “the effective and correct implementation of the obligations imposed by making use of an independent expert in charge of implementing and monitoring the obligations imposed on which Google must provide all the collaboration and information requested”.