Brussels--The EU on Wednesday formally charged US Internet giant Google with abusing its search engine's dominance and launched a sensitive probe into its omnipresent Android mobile phone operating system.
On the first count, the Commission said it had sent a formal "Statement of Objections" to Google, charging it with "systematically favouring its own comparison shopping product in its general search results pages."
"The Commission's preliminary view is that such conduct infringes EU anti-trust rules because it stifles competition and harms consumers."
If found at fault under EU anti-trust rules, a company faces a fine of up to 10 percent of its annual sales -- in Google's case, $66 billion in 2014.
The Commission said it would continue to examine three other areas of concern -- copying of rivals' web content, exclusive advertising regimes and undue restrictions on advertisers -- which were identified in probes dating back to 2010.
In a potentially hugely important development, it also announced a separate investigation into Google's Android system which dominates the global mobile phone market.
"The investigation will focus on whether Google has entered into anti-competitive agreements or abused a possible dominant position in the field of operating systems, applications and services for smart mobile devices," the statement said.
EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said Android was hugely important and it was vital it be open to all.
"Smartphones, tablets and similar devices play an increasing role in many people's daily lives and I want to make sure the markets in this area can flourish without anti-competitive constraints imposed by any company," she said.
AFP
