The cooperation model with Mercedes could set a precedent.
(Photo: Bloomberg)
san francisco The US Department of Justice is investigating a possible abuse of power by Google’s mapping service Maps. Officials have launched an investigation into Google to assess the company’s role and market power, news agency Bloomberg and platform Politico reported. A Google spokeswoman told Handelsblatt: “We always work together with the supervisory authorities and are happy to answer any questions.”
The day before, the carmaker Mercedes had announced a close partnership with Google and announced that it would like to integrate the Maps map service into its operating system in the future. That could further cement Google’s central role.
In 2015, a consortium of the three German car brands Audio, BMW and Mercedes bought the Dutch map service Here for around three billion dollars in order to counterbalance Google and not become dependent on the US provider.
That seems to be changing now. Porsche is also negotiating with Google about taking some of the tech group’s services directly into its cockpits. So far, Porsche drivers have had to connect their smartphone to the vehicle in order to see Android services mirrored on the display in the car. Users can probably save themselves this intermediate step in the future.
The investigation by the US authorities is primarily aimed at how Google deals with developers. In the terms of use, Google stipulates, among other things, that extended information, photos or ratings may not be integrated into competing services. This practice is known as bundling and may violate US competition laws.
“Developers choose Google Maps because they know it provides useful and quality information,” said the Google spokeswoman. “They are also free to use other map services in addition to Google Maps – and many do.”
Last year, the Federal Cartel Office initiated proceedings against Google in connection with the map service. “We are investigating indications that Google is restricting the combination of its map services with map services from third parties,” said Andreas Mundt, President of the Bundeskartellamt. “As a company with outstanding cross-market importance, Google is subject to stricter abuse control.”
More: Carmaker Mercedes relies on Google Maps for navigation.