Google sets the bundle sales of Maps to print the cartel office-Diepresse.com
Google and the German Federal Cartel Office reach an agreement on the automotive services. So far, it was only possible to receive Google Maps in connection with the Playstore and the smart assistant. This change is not only limited to Germany.
Google changes its sales practices on Google Automotive Services and Google Maps Platform at pressure from the Federal Cartel Office and thus ensures more competition. The US giant has undertaken to change the sales conditions for the services to the Bonn competitive hostels, the authority said on Wednesday. « Google’s commitments have the potential to make far -reaching changes in the market, » said Cartel Council chief Andreas Mundt. Their effects are not limited to Germany.
In the procedure, the cartel office had criticized that the practice of selling licenses for cards for use in navigation systems only together with the app store Google Play and the voice assistant Google Assistant to car manufacturers block other providers. It had threatened to prohibit Google these practices. Now the US giant undertook to hire competitive restrictions – the corresponding procedures of the cartel office have ended.
« So far, Google’s different map services could only be combined to a limited extent with the services of other providers, » said Mundt. « These restrictions are now in favor of greater flexibility and selection for customers. » Google has promised to highlight contractual restrictions for the common use of card services with which other providers such as here, Mapbox or TomTom.
Individual reference so far not possible
The services contained in Google Automotive Services has also not yet been possible. This also changes the agreement: « In the future, vehicle manufacturers can freely choose between services from different providers and combine them according to customer needs, » said Mundt. « This opens up new opportunities for alternative providers. » Google competitors could now develop new solutions for infotainment in vehicles together with vehicle manufacturers.
The cartel office used the procedure for new regulations, which enable him to have a harder procedure for online giants. The Bonn competitive guardians can better prohibit companies that « have an outstanding cross -market importance for competition », better prohibit certain practices at risk of competition. In the case of the Google mother Alphabet, the cartel office had already found an « outstanding cross -market importance » – this is also the case with Amazon and Meta.
