Italy’s competitors regulator has fined Google EUR 102 million ($123 million) for excluding an e-mobility app developed by Enel from the US tech big’s Android system. For greater than two years, Google has not allowed Enel’s JuicePass to function on Android Auto – a system that permits apps for use safely in automobiles – unfairly curbing its use whereas favouring Google Maps, the regulator mentioned on Thursday.
“The contested behaviour can affect the event of e-mobility in a vital part … with doable destructive spill-over results on the expansion of electrical autos (EV),” it said.
In a statement announcing the fine for abuse of a dominant position, the regulator asked Google to make JuicePass available on Android Auto. JuicePass is owned by Enel’s “e-solutions” subsidiary Enel X, which introduced the case towards Google. The app provides customers providers for discovering and reserving EV charging stations on maps and viewing particulars. Google “respectfully disagrees” with the antitrust regulator’s decision and will examine the documents to decide its next steps, a spokesman for Google in Italy said.
Google’s priority for Android Auto is to ensure safety while driving, with stringent guidelines on which apps it supports, he said. “There are thousands of apps compatible with Android Auto, and our goal is to enable even more developers to make their apps available over time,” the spokesman mentioned. The regulator mentioned the US big had a dominant place that permits it to regulate the entry of app builders to last customers by means of Android and its app retailer Google Play.
Enel acknowledged the choice, saying it was an vital enabling issue for the expansion of electrical mobility in Italy. “In accordance with this resolution, a stage taking part in discipline with Google apps will probably be granted for Enel X’s app, JuicePass, and usually for all recharging app builders,” it mentioned.
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