Observed Signal · May 14, 2021 · Regulation · Source: OnlineMarketing.de · Impact: 3/5 · Sentiment: Negative
Google Fined €100M for Android Auto Blocking JuicePass
Italy’s antitrust authority AGCM has levied a fine of over €100 million against Google for more than two years preventing competing e-mobility apps from being used in Android Auto. The Enel JuicePass app, which helps users locate EV charging stations, was among the targeted apps. AGCM concluded that Google abused its dominance via its control of Android and the Google Play Store, potentially hindering the development of electromobility. Google replied that it respectfully disagrees with the decision and will review the ruling to determine next steps, emphasizing safety guidelines and the intention to enable more apps in Android Auto over time. The case underscores tensions between platform control and competition in automotive tech, and may influence Android Auto’s app-permission policies going forward. Google states there are thousands of apps compatible with Android Auto, and aims to allow even more developers over time.
Significant antitrust fine on Google affecting Android Auto app ecosystem and competition in electromobility.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- AGCM (Italian competition authority) fined Google over €100 million for Android Auto anti-competitive behavior.
- JuicePass, an Enel e-mobility app, was blocked from Android Auto for more than two years.
- AGCM said Google abused its dominance through control of Android and Google Play Store.
- Google said it respectfully disagrees with the decision and will review the ruling.
- Google claimed a focus on safety guidelines and plans to enable more apps in Android Auto in the future.
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EU Court Upholds €4.1B Android Antitrust Fine
Europe’s top court has dismissed Google’s appeal and upheld a reduced €4.1 billion ($4.7 billion) antitrust fine imposed over the company’s use of the Android operating system to block rivals. The European Commission originally fined Google €4.3 billion in 2018; that penalty was reduced to €4.1 billion in 2022 and remains the Commission’s largest sanction against the company. The Commission found Google required device makers to pre-install Google Search and Chrome to access the Play Store, paid manufacturers and operators to exclusively pre-install Google Search, and restricted devices running alternative Android versions. Google says it adapted its agreements after the 2018 decision and disputes the court’s assessment. The article also notes a separate antitrust lawsuit filed earlier this year by alternative app store Aptoide against Google in U.S. federal court.
EU fines Google €890M for DMA violations
On 23 July 2026 the European Commission fined Google €890 million (two penalties of €460m and €430m) under the Digital Markets Act, finding it had self‑preferenced its own services in Search—including shopping, hotels/travel and sports results—and breached DMA anti‑steering rules in Google Play by blocking developers from directing users to alternative app stores or payment pages and from freely promoting or concluding off‑store offers. Brussels ordered Google to redesign Search and Play to treat third‑party services fairly and to allow off‑store developer communications and transactions, with a 60‑day compliance deadline or periodic fines up to 5% of worldwide turnover (Alphabet’s 2025 turnover ~ $403bn). Google says it will contest the ruling, is negotiating and testing changes, warns of user‑experience and security risks, and the decision has provoked sharp U.S. political criticism and broader EU‑U.S. regulatory tensions.
EU Court Upholds €4.1B Antitrust Fine Against Google
The Court of Justice of the European Union dismissed Google and Alphabet’s appeal and confirmed a landmark EU antitrust ruling requiring Google to pay €4.1 billion. The judges found Google imposed illegal restrictions on Android device makers and mobile carriers — forcing the preinstallation of a package of Google apps (including Search and Chrome) and restricting sales of devices running non‑Google‑approved Android versions — to protect its search dominance and related ad revenues. The European Commission originally fined Google in 2018; the lower EU court reduced the penalty by roughly €200 million in 2022 to €4.1 billion. Google changed some distribution practices during the proceedings and argued the bundling was necessary; the ECJ rejected the appeal. Google stock fell more than 1.5% in premarket trading on the ruling.
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