Google faces the prospect of giving up its position as the default search engine on tablets and mobile phones as an antitrust watchdog in Australia wants the tech giant’s power to be reined in.
As per Bloomberg News, The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) has recommended a compulsory choice screen and alternative search engine providers to be displayed on the new and current mobile devices that run on the Android operating system provided by Google. The watchdog is considering inviting Apple iPhones and desktop services to be a part of the change.
The ACCC has also said that it may demand that users use the internet browser of their choice.
This plan is similar to the one followed in Europe right now, where Google Android devices have a small screen that allows users to choose the search engines operated by small companies. The google search integration into Android is about text input and several other features of the operating system structure, including google assistant, which is voice-activated. The choice of provider is a step away from shaking Google’s dominance.
Google’s market share is 94% in search engines in Australia, as per the ACCC. Regulators enforcing more measures would prolong the assault on Google’s dominance in the country. Australia this year passed a law which is the first of its kind in the world, that forces Alphabet Inc-owned Google and Facebook Inc to pay publishers for using their news.
The ACCC is planning to start consultations on these new proposals. Google is the default search engine on two popular browsers like Apple’s Safari and Google’s Chrome. These two browsers are pre-installed on most Australian mobile devices.
According to ACC Chairman Rod Sims, Google existing commercial arrangements and dominance have created increased entry barriers and prevented new rivals’ search engines from reaching the consumers.
