Germany: Federal Cartel Office opened investigation into Google over its alleged anticompetitive practices in connection with Google Maps Platform (B7-25/22-GMP)

On 14 February 2022, the German Federal Cartel Office initiated an investigation into Google's practices related to the Google Maps Platform (GMP), 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 GMP services with third-party map services. The investigation aimed to assess whether Google's actions impeded competition and limited choices for developers, vehicle manufacturers, and consumers. The concerns specifically focused on Google's contractual provisions that restricted the use of GMP services with non-Google maps prohibited the use of GMP services in applications substantially similar to Google's own offerings and prevented the use of GMP services in embedded vehicle systems. The investigation sought to determine whether these practices violated Section 19a(2) of the German Competition Act (GWB) and other relevant competition laws.