Why does Brussels have Google’s Android in its sights?

The EU is poised to open a new front in its showdown with Google as early as Wednesday by announcing formal charges in relation to the company’s mobile operating system, Android. The case would represent a fresh chapter in Brussels’ efforts to combat the alleged abuses of US technology companies, and has already drawn comparisons with its clash with Microsoft a decade ago.

Has the EU not already charged Google with anti-competitive behaviour?

Yes, this would be a second charge sheet, known as a statement of objections. The first accused Google of abusing its dominance of online search to promote its own shopping services unfairly. Google denies the charge and the case is ongoing.

How dominant is Android as the operating system on smartphones?

Very. More than 80 per cent of smartphones globally use Android’s open-source system, which can be used free of charge by anyone. By contrast Apple’s own iOS operating system, used in the iPhone and iPad, represents only about 13 per cent of the market, according to data from Gartner.

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