Australia: Announced TPG undertakings in ACCC investigation into Google’s search services over alleged abuse of market power regarding pre-installed search engines on Android devices

On 12 August 2024, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) announced it had accepted undertakings from TPG Telecom Limited (TPG) as part of its investigation into Google’s search services in Australia. These undertakings, effective from 9 August 2024, prevent TPG from entering new agreements that give Google preinstallation or default rights for Google’s search services regarding Android devices distributed by TPG in Australia. This resolves the ACCC’s concerns regarding their role in anticompetitive conduct. The ACCC will continue its broader investigation into Google’s agreements and their impact on competition which was initiated after the ACCC's Digital Platform Services Inquiry (DPSI) determined that Google's dominance as the primary search engine in Australia is largely due to its pre-installation as the default search service on devices.