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

On 8 February 2023, the German Federal Cartel Office issued a preliminary assessment notice to Google regarding the Google Maps Platform (GMP) under Section 19a(2) of the German Competition Act (GWB). The notice specifically challenged three provisions in GMP's Terms of Service (ToS): Clause 3.2.3(d) (prohibiting the recreation of Google products or features), Clause 3.2.3(e) (restricting use with non-Google maps), and Clause 3.2.3(h) (banning use in embedded vehicle systems). The Federal Cartel Office found that these clauses potentially restricted competition by limiting interoperability between GMP and competing services, such as those offered by HERE Technologies (HERE) and Mapbox Inc. (Mapbox).