Germany: Initiated antitrust investigation against Google regarding Google Maps

On 21 June 2022, the German competition authority (Bundeskartellamt) initiated an antitrust proceeding against Google Germany GmbH and Alphabet Inc. for alleged anti-competitive practices of the Google Maps Platform. In particular, the Bundeskartellamt will examine whether Google restricts the combination of Google's map services with third-party maps, which could impair competition to the detriment of alternative map service providers. The proceeding follows a new procedure in the German Competition Act (GWB), which was amended to introduce new rules for large digital companies. In particular, Section 19a allows the Bundeskartellamt to initiate investigations against companies "of paramount importance for competition in the markets" more quickly and to deter companies from anti-competitive behaviour. Google's status as a company of "paramount significance" was established on 5 January 2022.