The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chairman Joseph Simons told lawmakers Wednesday, July 18, that he will look at the European Union’s move to fine Google US$5 billion for antitrust violations pertaining to the Android mobile operating system.
Reuters, citing comments Simons made during a hearing in front of lawmakers, reported the FTC head said he spoke with European Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager about the fine earlier in the week. “We’re going to read what the EU put out very closely,” Simons told a subcommittee of the House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee, according to Reuters. When asked about the control Google and Apple have over the smartphone industry, Simons said that markets that are dominated by a small number of companies are where antitrust issues often arise. “There are the two of them, so they compete pretty heavily against each other,” said Simons, according to Reuters.
The EU fine stems from an inquiry by antitrust regulators at the European Union into whether or not Google abused its position with the Android OS, which is on more than 80% of the smartphones around the globe, by favoring its own mobile apps and services including its search engine. Google has the right to appeal the fine. Google argues that its OS, which manufacturers don’t have to pay to install on mobile devices, actually boosted competition among smartphones and resulted in lower prices. It also said the allegation that it hurt third-party apps
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