Google Abusing Market Dominance, Russian Watchdog Says

Advertisement
By Reuters | Updated: 15 September 2015 09:29 IST
Russia's anti-monopoly agency said on Monday Google Inc was abusing its market position in the country and would face penalties, in a case launched by local competitor Yandex.

The FAS anti-monopoly body said Google had violated the law by pre-installing certain applications on mobile devices and could face penalties totalling up to 15 percent of its 2014 revenue in this part of the Russian market.

FAS declined to specify the revenue in question, saying it was a trade secret, but said it would decide on the exact value of the fine after September 28. It added Google must then pay and change its ways, or risk more fines if violations continue.

Google Russia said it would analyse the decision and declined further comment until then.

Advertisement

Shares in Yandex, which rivals Google as Russia's biggest Internet search engine, rose as much as 9 percent before stabilising around 7 percent higher.

Advertisement

Yandex, which filed a complaint against Google with FAS in February, welcomed the decision.

"We believe the FAS decision will serve to restore competition on the market," the company said.

Advertisement

It added the complaint included the practice of bundling applications from the Google Mobile Services with the Google Play store, requiring pre-installation of the Google search engine as the default one, and giving Google application icons preferential placement on the screen of mobile devices.

"In addition, the investigation confirmed the existence of agreements on prohibition of pre-installation of competitors' apps," Yandex said.

Advertisement

Yandex is ahead of Google in Russia but has seen competition stiffen in mobile phones as consumers have adopted Android-based handsets that come pre-loaded with Google products that compete directly with Yandex applications.

Google's total 2014 revenue stood at $66 billion (roughly Rs. 4,37,621 crores). The company's website does not provide a separate revenue figure for Russia, or the exact segment involved in the case.

Analysts at App Annie say Russia was Google's No.4 market in the world in the second quarter of 2015 in terms of Google Play downloads.

The European Union is conducting its own anti-trust case against Google.

© Thomson Reuters 2015

 

For details of the latest launches and news from Samsung, Xiaomi, Realme, OnePlus, Oppo and other companies at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, visit our MWC 2025 hub.

Further reading: Antitrust, Google, Internet, Yandex
Advertisement

Related Stories

Popular Mobile Brands
  1. Apple Introduces M5 Pro, M5 Max Chips With Fusion Architecture, Super Cores
  2. Apple MacBook 'Neo' Listed on Regulatory Website Before Imminent Launch
  3. Tecno Pop X Launched in India With 5,000mAh Battery, IP64 Rating: See Price
  4. Epson EpiqVision Mini EF-22N Review: A Premium Portable Laser Projector
  5. Tecno Megapad 2, Tecno Watch GT 1S and Tecno FreeHear 2 Debut at MWC 2026
  1. Apple MacBook Neo Reportedly Listed on Regulatory Site Hours Before Anticipated Launch
  2. Tecno Pop X Launched in India With 5,000mAh Battery, IP64 Rating: Price, Specifications
  3. Tecno Megapad 2, Tecno Watch GT 1S and Tecno FreeHear 2 Unveiled at MWC 2026: Availability, Features
  4. Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice OTT Release Date: Know When and Where to Watch it Online
  5. MediaTek Showcases AI Glasses at MWC 2026; Demonstrates Emergency Satellite Alerts With Starlink
  6. Devagudi Now Streaming Online: Where to Watch Intense Drama Online?
  7. Jab Khuli Kitaab OTT Release Date: When and Where to Watch Pankaj Kapur and Dimple Kapadia Starrer Romantic Drama Online?
  8. Apple Introduces M5 Pro, M5 Max Chips With New Fusion Architecture on 2026 MacBook Pro Models
  9. Apple Studio Display, Studio Display XDR With 27-Inch 5K Displays Launched in India: Price, Features
  10. Jockey Now Available for Streaming Online: Where to Watch This Tamil Action Movie Online?
Download Our Apps
Available in Hindi
© Copyright Red Pixels Ventures Limited 2026. All rights reserved.