Google Limits on Access to Android Auto May Breach EU Rules

The logo for Google is seen at the Google Store Chelsea in Manhattan, New York City, US, November 17, 2021. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo
The logo for Google is seen at the Google Store Chelsea in Manhattan, New York City, US, November 17, 2021. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo
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Google Limits on Access to Android Auto May Breach EU Rules

The logo for Google is seen at the Google Store Chelsea in Manhattan, New York City, US, November 17, 2021. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo
The logo for Google is seen at the Google Store Chelsea in Manhattan, New York City, US, November 17, 2021. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo

An adviser to Europe's top court on Thursday sided with Italy's antitrust authority, saying Alphabet unit Google's refusal to allow an e-mobility app developed by Enel access to its Android Auto platform may breach competition rules.
"Google's refusal to provide third-party access to Android Auto platform may be in breach of competition rules," Advocate General Laila Medina at the Luxembourg-based Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) said.
The Italian antitrust watchdog fined Google 102 million euro ($113.18 million) in 2021 for favoring Google Maps while blocking Enel's JuicePass on Android Auto, a software allowing drivers to navigate with maps on their car dashboards and send messages while behind the wheel, Reuters reported.
CJEU judges, who will rule in the coming months, usually follow the majority of such non-binding opinions.
The case is C-233/23 Alphabet and Others.
 



Apple Fined $570 Million and Meta $228 Million for Breaching EU Law 

The Apple logo is seen at the flagship Apple retail store in San Francisco, California April 27, 2015. (Reuters)
The Apple logo is seen at the flagship Apple retail store in San Francisco, California April 27, 2015. (Reuters)
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Apple Fined $570 Million and Meta $228 Million for Breaching EU Law 

The Apple logo is seen at the flagship Apple retail store in San Francisco, California April 27, 2015. (Reuters)
The Apple logo is seen at the flagship Apple retail store in San Francisco, California April 27, 2015. (Reuters)

Apple was fined 500 million euros ($570 million) on Wednesday and Meta 200 million euros, as European Union antitrust regulators handed out the first sanctions under landmark legislation aimed at curbing the power of Big Tech.

The EU fines could stoke tensions with US President Donald Trump who has threatened to levy tariffs against countries that penalize US companies.

The sanctions followed a year-long investigation by the European Commission, the EU executive, into whether the companies comply with the Digital Markets Act that seeks to allow smaller rivals into markets dominated by big tech.

Reuters had flagged the EU decisions on Apple and Meta last month.