Google has agreed to pay a AU$55 million (US$36 million) fine following regulatory action by Australia’s ACCC for anti-competitive agreements with major telecom companies Telstra and Optus. Between December 2019 and March 2021, Google arranged deals that required these carriers to pre-install only Google Search on Android phones, blocking rival search engines. This practice limited competition and consumer choice. Google admitted the agreements substantially lessened market competition and has pledged to remove such restrictions in future contracts. The Federal Court will soon decide on the penalty’s approval. This resolution aligns with broader efforts to foster competition amid the rise of AI search technologies.
Read more: BroadbandBreakfast
