Google's been trying to appease the EU, who is charging them with a $5 billion anti-trust fine for their Android OS. They've been open to concessions, including trying to change Android to suit the EU's strict requirements.
Engadget reports that Android almost changed policies way back when it was meted out the hefty fine by the EU. The fines were bestowed on them for their product search practices, which went against the EU's laws and anti-trust policies. Google, willing to adjust, offered to change these practices, among others. It also looked into other ways to distribute apps to fit into the European Union's strict laws.
As for the fine, however, it is the least of Google's worries.
A company like Google, Wired UK says, has very little to no problems trying to pay the fine. The problem here is with trying to come up with changes to their Android OS, the latest of which has already rolled out. Android P, ahead of the EU's ruling of their anti-trust findings, has rolled out and is on the way for developers. Any changes with regards to the EU's rule will have to wait, it appears.
What the EU found wrong was that Google's Search and Play Store apps were shipping with devices by default. The problem lies with taking away the choice of consumers, whether to install the apps or not. Google was allegedly 'paying off' companies to use these products and take away the choices of consumers.
It would be interesting to see what Google comes up with regards to the anti-trust law. Google devices dominate the EU market to the tune of 80 to 90 percent of all phones being Android; about 90 percent of them also use apps that Google sells or distributes through its own app store. Not to mention that Google Chrome is installed on all of them.
The EU's anti-trust commission is keeping its eyes trained on Google. As to what steps Google will take to adjust Android to EU requirements, their efforts remains to be seen. No statements have yet been made about the EU's ruling, but some changes could already be underway.
