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Google takes Android search blow in Russia | Google takes Android search blow in Russia |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Google has promised to allow rivals' search engines and apps to be pre-installed on phones running its versions of Android in Russia. | Google has promised to allow rivals' search engines and apps to be pre-installed on phones running its versions of Android in Russia. |
The concession follows an out-of-court deal with the country's competition watchdog. | The concession follows an out-of-court deal with the country's competition watchdog. |
In addition, Google has promised to develop a tool to make it easy for users to change their device's default search engine. | In addition, Google has promised to develop a tool to make it easy for users to change their device's default search engine. |
Shares in Google's local Russian rival, Yandex, rose more than 7% on the news. | Shares in Google's local Russian rival, Yandex, rose more than 7% on the news. |
It brings to an end a long-running battle between the US firm and Russia's competition regulator, the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS). | It brings to an end a long-running battle between the US firm and Russia's competition regulator, the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS). |
Google had argued the regulator had no case because manufacturers could develop their own versions of Android or pre-install other apps of their choice. | Google had argued the regulator had no case because manufacturers could develop their own versions of Android or pre-install other apps of their choice. |
But the FAS had argued that, despite its denials, Google was indeed "prohibiting" rival software to its own YouTube, Maps and Photos apps to be pre-installed alongside its own dominant version of Android. | But the FAS had argued that, despite its denials, Google was indeed "prohibiting" rival software to its own YouTube, Maps and Photos apps to be pre-installed alongside its own dominant version of Android. |
The agency became involved after Yandex filed a complaint in February 2015. | The agency became involved after Yandex filed a complaint in February 2015. |
Despite the nature of the settlement, Google will still have to pay a 438m rouble ($7.8; £6.2m) fine imposed after it failed to appeal the case last August. | Despite the nature of the settlement, Google will still have to pay a 438m rouble ($7.8; £6.2m) fine imposed after it failed to appeal the case last August. |
"We are happy to have reached a commercial agreement with Yandex and a settlement with Russia's competition regulator, the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS), resolving the competition case over the distribution of Google apps on Android," a spokeswoman for Google told the BBC. | "We are happy to have reached a commercial agreement with Yandex and a settlement with Russia's competition regulator, the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS), resolving the competition case over the distribution of Google apps on Android," a spokeswoman for Google told the BBC. |
Yandex's chief executive Arkady Volozh declared the settlement "an important day for Russian consumers". | Yandex's chief executive Arkady Volozh declared the settlement "an important day for Russian consumers". |
"I am thankful to the Federal Antimonopoly Service for applying the law in a manner that effectively and efficiently restores competition to the market for the benefit of Russian users, as competition always breeds innovation," he added. | |
The EU continues to pursue similar claims against Google, saying the firm is "requiring and incentivising" Android hardware manufacturers to exclusively use its services. | The EU continues to pursue similar claims against Google, saying the firm is "requiring and incentivising" Android hardware manufacturers to exclusively use its services. |
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