The Federal Cartel Office has initiated proceedings against Google Germany GmbH, Hamburg, and Alphabet Inc., Mountain View, USA. The proceedings concern possible restrictions on competition at the expense of alternative map services on the Google Maps platform.
New powers for the Federal Cartel Office
The background to the procedure initiated is new powers as part of the expanded abuse supervision of large digital companies at the beginning of 2021. The authority can now prohibit practices that endanger competition in a two-stage procedure.
already determined this significance for the Internet giant Google and its parent Alphabet At the same time, procedures are already underway to examine Google's data processing conditions and the news offering Google News Showcase ( press releases from June 4, 2021 and January 12, 2022 ).
Tighter market supervision for Google
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As a company with outstanding cross-market importance, Google is subject to stricter abuse control. We are investigating reports that Google is restricting the combination of its mapping services with third-party mapping services. This concerns, for example, the possibility of integrating location data from Google Maps, the search function or Google Street View on non-Google maps.Federal Cartel Office
We will now examine, among other things, whether Google could further expand its power over certain mapping services through this practice.The review also extends to license conditions for the use of Google's map services in vehicles.The proceedings are part of a series of other proceedings that we are conducting or have already concluded against Google and other digital companies such as Apple, Amazon and Meta/Facebook on the basis of Section 19a GWB.“, explains Andreas Mundt, President of the Federal Cartel Office:
Are services from other providers restricted?
The Google Maps platform offers access to various map services. These are used, for example, to integrate maps on third-party sites to show the locations of shops or hotels. Google is accused of hindering other providers from competing in various areas.
According to the current status, Google is particularly restricting the possibility of combining Google map services with maps from third parties. This may hinder competition in the area of card services.
Another limitation could be that Google strictly regulates the use of its services with the “Google Automotive Services” offer in infotainment systems in vehicles.
Over the next few weeks, customers and competitors of the Google Maps platform will be interviewed as part of the investigation.
Google guarantees full cooperation
When asked Google said it would work with regulators and answer all questions. At the same time, a spokesman pointed out that users could also use other map services, and many would do so.
The Bonn regulators will survey customers and competitors of Google's map offering in the coming weeks.
Legal background: Amendment to the GWB
The Federal Cartel Office's control options and rights, including over the very large Internet companies, were only expanded last year. In January 2021, the 10th amendment to the Act Against Restraints of Competition (GWB Digitalization Act) came into force. A central new regulation ( Section 19a GWB ) allows the Federal Cartel Office to intervene earlier and more effectively, especially against the behavior of large digital companies. In addition to the proceedings against Google / Alphabet, the new instrument has already been used in recent months against Facebook/Meta (see press release of January 28, 2021 and May 4, 2022 ), against Amazon (see press release of May 18, 2021 ) and against Apple (see press release from June 14, 2022 ) Proceedings initiated and initial decisions made.
For example, the case against Apple launched last week involves new privacy protection features that allow users to prevent developers from tracking their activities across different apps and websites. The authority wants to check whether Apple could gain advantages by doing so.
Source: Federal Cartel Office
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