Russia: Google says sanctions are unfounded

Google is challenging a ruling that Russian competition laws were broken by pre-installing some Android programs on telephones.

The national antimonopoly service in Russia stated that by requiring cellular companies to install the programs that Google abused its dominant position.

Programs for maps services and YouTube and Google’s photography were at the middle of the row.

When it reached its conclusion the anti-monopoly watchdog gave Google so its programs weren’t favoured to alter its contracts with telephone companies. The company could face fees as high as 15% of its 2014 revenue if its practices didn’t alter.

Google hasn’t complied with this particular conclusion and has released opinions on its official Russian site describing why.

It included that the large numbers of rival applications as well as the ease with which apps could be set up on Android telephones meant there was plenty of rivalry in the Russian marketplace.

The Russian antimonopoly service has to react to the statement of Google.

Nevertheless, Russian search competing Yandex, which prompted antitrust authorities in the united states to inquire Google, said it might welcome an “open trial” to the matter.

“Yandex is assured in every stage of the country’s location,” it said.

Full content: Slash Gear

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