Audio By Carbonatix
Microsoft has accused rival Google of pushing Android handset makers to use its applications such as YouTube and Maps.
Along with Oracle, Nokia and 14 other tech firms, Microsoft has filed a complaint with the European Commission.
The group, known as FairSearch, argues that Google is abusing its dominance of the mobile market.
In response to the filing, Google said: "We continue to work co-operatively with the European Commission."
Trojan horse
"We are asking the commission to move quickly and decisively to protect competition and innovation in this critical market," said Thomas Vinje, Brussels-based counsel for FairSearch.
"Failure to act will only embolden Google to repeat its desktop abuses of dominance as consumers increasingly turn to a mobile platform dominated by Google's Android operating system," he added.
Android is now the dominant mobile operating system, accounting for 70% of the market, according to research firm Gartner.
The complaint describes Google's Android operating system as a "trojan horse", offered to device makers for free. In return they are "required to pre-load an entire suite of Google mobile services and to give them prominent default placement on the phone," the complaint reads.
Privacy policy
Google is also under fire for its common user privacy policy which groups 60 sets of rules into one and allows the company to track users more closely.
Last week six European data protection agencies, including the UK and France, threatened legal action if Google did not make changes to its policy.
In October a European Commission working party said its privacy policy did not meet Commission standards on data protection.
It gave Google four months to comply with its recommendation.
Google maintains that the new policy "respects European law".
Microsoft itself is no stranger to EC scrutiny. In March it was fined 561 million euros (£484m) for failing to promote a range of web browsers in its Windows 7 operating system.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Ebo Noah arrested over failed Christmas apocalypse and public panic
7 minutes -
CICM backs BoG’s microfinance sector reform programme; New Year Debt Recovery School comes off January-February 2026
34 minutes -
GIPC Boss urges diaspora to invest remittances into productive ventures
40 minutes -
Cedi ends 2025 as 4th best performing currency in Africa
45 minutes -
Obaapa Fatimah Amoadu Foundation launches in Mankessim as 55 artisans graduate
2 hours -
Behold Thy Mother Foundation celebrates Christmas with aged mothers in Assin Manso
2 hours -
GHIMA reaffirms commitment to secured healthcare data
2 hours -
John Boadu pays courtesy call on former President Kufuor, seeks guidance on NPP revival
2 hours -
Emissions Levy had no impact on air pollution, research reveals
3 hours -
DSTV enhanced packages stay in force as subscriptions rise following price adjustments
3 hours -
Financial Stability Advisory Council holds final meeting for 2025
3 hours -
Education in Review: 2025 marks turning point as Mahama resets Ghana’s education sector
3 hours -
Nigeria AG orders fresh probe into alleged intimidation and assault of Sam Jonah’s River Park estate staff
4 hours -
Concerned Small Scale Miners commend GoldBod’s efforts in addressing gold smuggling
4 hours -
Haruna Mohammed claims Ghana Audit Service undermined
4 hours
