The Administrative Council for Economic Defense (Cade) has opened an investigation into alleged anticompetitive practices related to Google’s Android operating system in Brazil. The case is still in its initial phase, and the inquiries may lead to a broader investigation.
The Cade is questioning Google about practices adopted by the company that were deemed anticompetitive by the European Commission in a case whose decision was published in July 2018. Cade wants to know if these practices also violated Brazilian economic order and harmed local consumers.
According to the European Commission, Google imposed restrictions on smartphone manufacturers and telecommunications operators using Android in 2011 to “consolidate its dominant position in online searches.” The company allegedly made Android direct users to its own search engine.
Among the practices questioned by investigators are the mandatory pre-installation of Google’s own search and browser apps and cash payments to manufacturers and operators to ensure this pre-installation. Google also allegedly prohibited manufacturers from selling devices with versions of Android not authorized by the company.
Android has become the most widely used operating system in the world, surpassing Microsoft’s Windows.
Google’s press representatives informed Agência Brasil that Android “enabled millions of Brazilians to connect to the internet by making mobile phones more accessible and accelerating their popularity.”
Source: Agência Brasil