Microsoft are among a group of companies who have filed a complaint to European regulators regarding Google’s pricing of its Android operating system.
Google is facing increasing pressure from European officials on a number of issues. HumanIPO reported last week privacy regulators in six European countries were challenging the search giant’s refusal to reverse privacy policy changes.
This latest intervention by Fairsearch Europe, which includes Microsoft as a member, has taken issue with Google’s “predatory pricing” of Android because it is a “deceptive way to build advantages” to dominate the mobile marketplace, reports the Guardian.
The “predatory pricing” complaint refers to Google making the Android operating system available at below cost. Microsoft are the only competitor who licence their operating systems.
Joaquin Almunia, the European commission’s antitrust chief, has already been carrying out an investigation into Google’s dominance for more than two years.
The European Commission is continuing to liaise with Google over a settlement regarding competition complaints, but reportedly have not yet decided whether to include Android in any agreement.
A Google spokesman said: “We continue to work co-operatively with the European commission.”
