Switzerland investigates Google for removing default search engine choice on Android
Google holds 82% of Switzerland’s search market.
Man walks past a Google logo in front of an office building. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann
- Google removed the "Choice Screen" from Android devices in Switzerland, forcing users to use Google search as default without option to choose alternatives.
- The choice screen remains active across the European Economic Area, creating unequal treatment between Swiss and EEA users.
- Removing the opt-out feature limits visibility of competing search engines during device setup, potentially violating Swiss competition law.
- The company holds 82% of Switzerland's search market, making the default setting particularly powerful in maintaining market control.
Key Takeaways by nexos.ai, reviewed by Cybernews staff.
Switzerland's Competition Commission (COMCO) has launched a preliminary investigation into Google for removing the “Choice Screen” feature from all Android devices in the country. Google’s move forces users to accept Google as their default search engine, with no option to choose another.
The "Choice Screen" feature allows users to choose their default search engines during the initial setup of their new Android device.
COMCO said Google had removed this feature in Switzerland, even though it remained available in other European countries.
As a result, Google is set as the default search engine for Swiss users.
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Google said it was aware of the investigation. "We look forward to cooperating fully with the authority to address their questions," a spokesperson said.
In digital markets, default settings play a decisive role, COMCO said, with the removal of the option limiting the visibility of other search engines competing with Google when users set up their devices.
"This new practice by Google could affect the ability of search engine providers and, more broadly, other digital service providers to compete," COMCO said.
"It also creates unequal treatment between Swiss users and those in the European Economic Area," it added.
The preliminary investigation will determine whether there were any indications of unlawful competition under the Swiss Cartel Act.
Google has a dominant position in the Swiss online market, holding 82% of the search market in the country, according to Statcounter, a web analytics company.