Google Australia will pay $ 36 million in the anti -competition search deal with mobile transport companies

Google agreed to pay a fine of $ 55 million ($ 36 million) for anti -competition practices, The Australian Competition and Consumer Committee (ACCC) announced. It stems from the deals that Google pledged with Austral Telstra and Optus only to install Google SEARCH.

The key there is that these companies have not been able to install any other search engine. Next, Telstra and Optus got a share of Google advertising revenues from customers who use Google search on Androids for each. Google admitted that these agreements “may have a significant impact on competition reduction.” These deals were in place from December 2019 to March 2021.

“Conducting the competition is illegal in Australia because it usually means lower choice, higher costs or worse service for consumers,” said Jenna Gottlieb, ACCC, before turning to Amnesty International. “Most importantly, these changes come at a time when searching tools occur from artificial intelligence revolution in how to search for information, and create new competition. With increasingly AI search tools, consumers can experience search services on their mobile phones.”

Unlike some previous cases in it Google has defended itself against the investigation Or fine, the company is cooperating. I admitted responsibility and suggested the fine alongside ACCC. The court will determine whether it is an adequate penalty. Google offered A collection of options for search providers For European Union users since 2020 – after a confrontation Another ruling to combat monopoly A fine of 4.3 billion euros ($ 5 billion).

Last year, Telstra and Optus reached agreements with ACCC that they would not make similar arrangements with Google to move forward.