Switzerland opens antitrust probe into Google over Android search choice

Switzerland's Competition Commission (COMCO) has opened a preliminary antitrust investigation into Google over the removal of Android's search choice screen.

According to TechXplore, citing a statement published by the regulator on July 14, users in Switzerland no longer see the screen that previously allowed them to choose a default search engine when setting up a new Android device. Instead, Google Search is selected by default.

COMCO argues that default settings play a critical role in digital markets because very few users change them after completing the initial setup. Removing the choice screen could therefore make competing search engines such as Bing, DuckDuckGo, and Ecosia less visible at the moment users first start using their devices, potentially making it harder for rivals to compete. The regulator will now assess whether Google's conduct amounts to an unlawful restriction of competition under Switzerland's Cartel Act.

The regulator also noted that Google still displays the search choice screen across the European Economic Area, but no longer does so in neighboring Switzerland. Because Switzerland is neither an EU nor an EEA member, the Digital Markets Act does not apply there, meaning the case will be assessed under Swiss competition law instead.

The search choice screen itself was introduced after the European Commission fined Google €4.34 billion in 2018 for requiring smartphone manufacturers to pre-install Google Search and Chrome on Android devices.