author: Konrad Serafinski
Android Will Enable Us to Choose Search Engine
Reuters agency reports that Google will enable the choice of a default search engine on mobile devices running the Android system beginning from 2020. Companies will enter an auction, and those who pay the most will appear in the system.
Good news for all owners of Android smartphones. Google has announced that from 2020 European users of mobile devices with this OS will be able to choose a default search engine. Reuters reports that the giant decided to do so after the company was fined for breaching EU antitrust lawes in July 2018. The penalty was imposed by the European Commission and the explanatory memorandum states that Google is illegally imposing the use of its search engine on users of the system. As we all know, smartphones with Android have one default search engine (Google).
As a result of the policy change, Google will make it possible to choose between four search engines - its own and three other ones provided by competing suppliers. Naturally, not free. External companies will have to pay the creators of the system for their presence in Android. Consequently, Google will organise a tender in each of the EU markets for suppliers of search engines available in a specific region. The scheme of choosing a competitive company will be very simple - the part that pays more will have their software appear on Android.
According to Reuters, the European Commission intends to "keep an eye" on Google's selection process. Everything is aimed at increasing competitiveness in the environment of the mobile system from Google. What do you think of that? What additional search engines would you like to see on Android? The mere fact of opening up to other solutions seems to be a good idea from the consumer's point of view. Ultimately, it will be users who will get phones with additional options, and backstage deals and money transfers are unlikely to be of interest to them.