US lawsuit over abuse of power Google dismissed

A charge against Google for alleged abuse of power over the Android operating system has been dropped by prosecutors. The American prosecutors could not prove that Google’s Android policy leads to higher prices for consumers.

The lawsuit was filed in San Jose in May last year, alleging favoring Google’s own services on the Android operating system. According to the two prosecutors, the internet giant more or less obliges smartphone manufacturers to provide Google services on Android devices. This ensures, among other things, that competing services, such as those from Microsoft, have fewer opportunities. That in turn leads to higher prices for consumers, was the reasoning recorded by Business Insider.

Google has previously defended itself against the charge by saying that manufacturers can also make Android devices without providing the services. Nevertheless, many companies choose to have their devices certified by Google, in order to be able to supply the Play Store download store, for example. Google also adds a lot of functionality to the Android operating system with its Play Services app.

According to the judge, there is insufficient evidence that Google’s practices lead to higher prices for consumers. As a result, the complaint, filed by two consumers, was dismissed. It is still possible that the prosecutors change their charges, although it is unclear whether that will happen. Although the lawsuit does not go through, Google is still under fire when it comes to its Android operating system. Favoring its own services is something that is also under scrutiny in Europe. The European Commission has been conducting an investigation for some time now.