Google tells EU court payments to phone makers gave Android a chance against Apple

Google says payments were merely a promotional opportunity but EU says they are pinnacle of illegal interlocking practices, with EU court judgment likely next year. — Google/TNS

LUXEMBOURG: Payments to phone makers to pre-install only Google Search on their devices were not aimed at preventing competition but were necessary for Android to seize market share from Apple, Alphabet’s Google told Europe’s second-top court on Sept 29.

Google was addressing the General Court on the third day of a week-long hearing as it tries to get judges to dismiss a record €4.3bil (RM20.96bil) EU antitrust fine and a European Commission order to loosen its search engine grip on Android devices.