European Commission fines Google €4.34B in Android antitrust case

Post by jillesvangurp » Wed, Jul 18, 2018, 11:07 AM UTC

hrktb wrote: post #33

vivan wrote: post #2

Can anyone concisely explain what this fine is for, and also why the same wouldn't apply to Apple for iOS? It seems to be a rehash of the issue that Microsoft faced when it only gave you Internet Explorer on install. But iOS comes with only Safari on install, and forces you to use Apple's various apps - how is this any different?

A better source: > The European Commission has accused Google of abusing its Android market dominance by bundling its search engine and Chrome apps into the operating system. Google has also allegedly blocked phone makers from creating devices that run forked versions of Android. https://www.theverge.com/2018/7/18/17580694/google-android-e... > How is it any different Apple doesn’t have a dominent search engine to pu…

Post by blub » Wed, Jul 18, 2018, 11:09 AM UTC

repolfx wrote: post #168

pedroaraujo wrote: post #147

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Apple doesn't try to tap markets that doesn't own and to force their own ecosystem into those markets. Google does. That's the fundamental difference. It is okay for them to do whatever they want with their Nexus/Pixel devices, since they fully own them. But forcing some random DTV vendor to install Google Search, Google Social Network, Google Online Shop, Google Payment System, Google This and Google That, just beca…

What's Apple Maps then, if not "trying to tap markets they don't own and to force their own ecosystem into those markets"? Apple tied together iOS and their own apps for a long time. Although Google provided the map data, the maps app on iOS was Apple's and for the longest time they banned anyone from writing competitors to it (ditto for music apps etc). They now pre-install their own maps app and prevent competing a…

Post by repolfx » Wed, Jul 18, 2018, 11:10 AM UTC

cmsj wrote: post #171

repolfx wrote: post #117

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You can use Android and make a phone that searches Bing and uses your own app store. Look at how Amazon did it. Most phone makers don't because customers prefer the Google services, but that's not Google's fault. They have provided OEMs with options - options they didn't need to give anyone, apparently, given that non-licensable operating systems like iOS aren't being whacked the same way. The most Google can do is g…

I understand that you can look at this in a way that makes it seem like Apple's tight control over iOS is equivalent to Google's tight control over Android, but there are some key differences: a) Android has market share dominances (likely around 75% in Europe in 2018) b) iOS is not made available for other companies to use You could make arguments that iOS behaves unfairly to third party developers and end users, an…

Post by fauigerzigerk » Wed, Jul 18, 2018, 11:11 AM UTC

naturalgradient wrote: post #109

heracles wrote: post #95

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In most (all?) other fields of law you are expected to abide by the rules as they are stated, or risk being punished by the legislative powers. That's not a vendetta, that's law as it is most commonly practiced. I don't see why EU should "work with google" to make them follow regulations (EDIT: beyond the threat of punishment).

The problem is that antitrust laws like these are very selectively enforced. Selection and prosecution of these cases is hence inherently political as these are non-standardized arguments or verdicts.

Post by throw129090 » Wed, Jul 18, 2018, 11:14 AM UTC