Distortion of competition: Federal Cartel Office examines Google
Is Google abusing its map service?
Does Google restrict alternative map services? The Federal Cartel Office has initiated proceedings to examine restrictions on competition in Google Maps.
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The Federal Cartel Office has a Proceedings against Google initiated. In it, the office wants to check whether the company is illegally restricting other map services with its Google Maps service.
According to this, Google Maps certainly offers access to various services that allow, for example, integration into third-party websites. However, there is no option to integrate Google services such as Street View on maps from other companies. Google would also heavily regulate the use of its “Automotive Services” in vehicle infotainment systems. In the coming weeks, Google Maps customers and competitors will be surveyed.
The basis for the investigation is the Cartel Office’s finding that Google is of cross-market importance for competition. On this basis (§ 19a GWB), the office can prohibit digital groups such as Google from practices that endanger competition.
Andreas Mundt, President of the Federal Cartel Office: “[…] We are investigating reports that Google is restricting the combination of its map services with third-party map 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. Among other things, we will now examine whether Google could use this practice to further expand its position of power over certain map services. The test extends in parallel 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 groups such as Apple, Amazon and Meta/Facebook on the basis of Section 19a GWB.”
In addition to the new procedure, the Cartel Office is currently also examining Google’s data processing conditions and the Google News Showcase news service.
Google commented to the “SZ” on request: “Developers and companies choose from a variety of options for the Google Maps platform because they recognize that it offers helpful, high-quality information for users. They can also use other map services in addition to the Google Maps platform – and many do.” The company is happy to answer any inquiries from the authorities.
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Reference-www.pc-magazin.de
