Trending 
Switzerland’s competition authority has opened a preliminary investigation into Google’s decision to remove the “choice screen” feature on Android devices in the country.
The feature allowed users setting up new Android phones to select their preferred default search engine instead of automatically using Google Search.
The Secretariat of the Competition Commission (COMCO) said on Tuesday that Google’s removal of the feature means Swiss users now have Google Search set as the default without being offered other options.
“Recently, Google removed this feature in Switzerland. As a result, the Google search engine is imposed as the default on Swiss users, without a ‘choice screen’ being displayed during the initial set-up,” COMCO said in a statement.
The regulator said the move could reduce the visibility of competing search engines and make it harder for rivals to compete.
“This new practice by Google could affect the ability of search engine providers and, more broadly, other digital service providers to compete,” COMCO said.
COMCO also noted that Swiss users are now treated differently from people in the European Economic Area (EEA), where similar choice options remain available.
The authority said the investigation will determine whether Google’s action violates Switzerland’s competition laws.
“The preliminary investigation will determine whether there are indications of an unlawful restriction of competition under the Cartel Act,” COMCO added.
A Google spokesperson confirmed the company was aware of the investigation and said it would cooperate with authorities.
“We look forward to cooperating fully with the authority to address their questions,” the spokesperson said.
The investigation comes shortly after the European Court of Justice upheld a €4.1 billion ($4.7 billion) fine against Google for alleged anti-competitive practices linked to its Android operating system.
The European Union had accused Google of using Android’s popularity to limit competition by requiring phone manufacturers to pre-install Google Search and Chrome, making it harder for rival services to gain users.
