For Pre-installing Apps on Android Devices, Russia Fines Google $6.75 Million

Russian authorities fined the American company founded by Google with $6,75 million after they ignored some rules regarding the operating systems for mobile devices, smartphones, and tablets on the Russian technology market. FAS has asked Google to change its partnership clauses with manufacturers as well.

Google says it doesn’t require the pre-installation of its services on Android devices. A Google spokesman said the company has received notice of the fine from the FAS and will analyze it before deciding on the next steps.

The total fine, according to local sources, represents about 1 to 15 per cent of Google Play’s domestic sales in the year 2014.

Yandex is the closest competitor to Google search in Russian Federation.

The Russian search engine early past year filed a complaint, accusing Google of thwarting competition. The European Union then said Google unfairly pays manufacturers and telecom operators a share of ad revenue if they agree to keep its search engine as a default option on the devices.

Commenting on the development, Yelena Zayeva who is the head of the IT department disclosed that the latest ruling enables development of competition in the mobile software market in Russian Federation. Now, Google has been hit by a $6.75 million fine in Russian Federation, for requiring pre-installed apps on Android smartphones. The watchdog said Russian customers would benefit from its decision and that worldwide corporations have to obey Russian law defending fair competition as well as other companies.

Federal Antimonopoly Service ruled that Google Inc. and Google Ireland Ltd. had breached the competition protection law under the complaint of the Russian Internet company Yandex.

The regulator also said Google was not allowing third-party services such as Yandex’s search engine to be preinstalled.

Google has insisted that consumers are free to choose whether to use its services.