Germany: Federal Cartel Office opened investigation into Google over its anticompetitive practices relating to Google Automotive Services (B7-25/22-GAS )

On 14 February 2022, the German Federal Cartel Office initiated an investigation into Google's practices related to the Google Automotive Services (GAS) and Android Automotive Operating System (AAOS). The investigation was prompted by a complaint filed by TomTom on 4 August 2021, which raised concerns about potential anticompetitive behaviour, including contractual restrictions on the interoperability of GAS services with third-party services. The investigation aimed to assess whether Google's actions impeded competition and limited choices for vehicle manufacturers, suppliers, and consumers. The concerns specifically focused on Google's contractual provisions that restricted the interoperability of GAS services with third-party services, prohibited the use of GAS services in applications substantially similar to Google's own offerings, and prevented the use of GAS services in embedded vehicle systems unless certain conditions were met. The investigation also examined Google's bundling of Google Maps, Google Play, and Google Assistant in GAS, as well as its agreements with vehicle manufacturers that granted economic benefits on the condition that no competing services were installed in in-vehicle infotainment systems. The investigation sought to determine whether these practices violated Section 19a(2) of the German Competition Act (GWB) and other relevant competition laws.