Italy Fines Google $120M For Blocking Rival’s Smartphone App

Italy’s anti-trust authority has fined Google more than $120
million (100 million euros) for shutting out a rival’s smartphone
app offering recharging of electric vehicles.

Google’s Android operating system and Google Play app store
dominate the Italian market, and the authority said the firm abused
its market position by blocking an Enel X app for users of electric
vehicles.

The regulator added on Thursday that it would require Google to
make Enel X’s app available on Android Auto, which mirrors features
of an Android device, such as a smartphone, on a car dashboard
screen.

“We respectfully disagree with the authority’s decision and we
will review our options,” a Google spokesman said in a
statement.

He added that some apps are not supported on the Android Auto
platform “based on driver-distraction tests and regulatory and
industry standards”.

The fine of more than $120 million is for a violation of article
102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which
regulates monopolies and issues involving restriction of
competition.

‘Google favoured its own maps app’

Italy found Google did not allow Enel X Italia to develop an
Android Auto-compatible version of its JuicePass app.

JuicePass offers services relating to recharging electric
vehicles, such as finding the nearest charging station and
reserving a space there.

“By refusing Enel X Italia interoperability with Android Auto,
Google has unfairly limited the possibilities for end-users to
avail themselves of the Enel X Italia app when driving and
recharging an electric vehicle,” the authority stated.

“Google has consequently favoured its own Google Maps app,”
added the authority.

“The exclusion of the Enel X Italia app from Android Auto has
been going on for more than two years, and if it were to continue,
could permanently jeopardise Enel X Italia’s chances of building a
solid user base at a time of significant growth in sales of
electric vehicles.”

This, the body concluded, amounted to “an impoverishment of
consumer choice and an obstacle to technological progress”, which
could influence the development of electric mobility.

As a result, the authority said it had ordered Google to make
available to Enel X Italia and other app developers programming
tools which are interoperable with Android Auto, while adding that
it would monitor compliance of its ruling via an independent expert
with whom Google would be obliged to cooperate.

Italy’s anti-trust authority has fined Google more than $120
million (100 million euros) for shutting out a rival’s smartphone
app offering recharging of electric vehicles.

Google’s Android operating system and Google Play app store
dominate the Italian market, and the authority said the firm abused
its market position by blocking an Enel X app for users of electric
vehicles.

The regulator added on Thursday that it would require Google to
make Enel X’s app available on Android Auto, which mirrors features
of an Android device, such as a smartphone, on a car dashboard
screen.

“We respectfully disagree with the authority’s decision and we
will review our options,” a Google spokesman said in a
statement.

He added that some apps are not supported on the Android Auto
platform “based on driver-distraction tests and regulatory and
industry standards”.

The fine of more than $120 million is for a violation of article
102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which
regulates monopolies and issues involving restriction of
competition.

‘Google favoured its own maps app’

Italy found Google did not allow Enel X Italia to develop an
Android Auto-compatible version of its JuicePass app.

JuicePass offers services relating to recharging electric
vehicles, such as finding the nearest charging station and
reserving a space there.

“By refusing Enel X Italia interoperability with Android Auto,
Google has unfairly limited the possibilities for end-users to
avail themselves of the Enel X Italia app when driving and
recharging an electric vehicle,” the authority stated.

“Google has consequently favoured its own Google Maps app,”
added the authority.

“The exclusion of the Enel X Italia app from Android Auto has
been going on for more than two years, and if it were to continue,
could permanently jeopardise Enel X Italia’s chances of building a
solid user base at a time of significant growth in sales of
electric vehicles.”

This, the body concluded, amounted to “an impoverishment of
consumer choice and an obstacle to technological progress”, which
could influence the development of electric mobility.

As a result, the authority said it had ordered Google to make
available to Enel X Italia and other app developers programming
tools which are interoperable with Android Auto, while adding that
it would monitor compliance of its ruling via an independent expert
with whom Google would be obliged to cooperate.