More new Android phones won’t get Google apps

Search giant fined by Turkish authorities

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Googleapplications such as Maps and Gmail will not come pre-installed onAndroid smartphonessold in Turkey following an antitrust ruling in the country.

The Turkish regulator has fined Google 93 million lira (£12m) for failing to offer consumers a choice of search engine following a complaint from Russian rival Yandex.

Google was given time to alter its practices but despite offering some concessions, authorities deemed them to be insufficient and imposed the penalty.

Android Turkey

The company has 60 days to appeal the ruling but has told Turkish partners it will be unable to issue new licences for its applications in the meantime.

Existing handsets are unaffected, and the company has said it is working to overturn the decision.

“We’ve informed our business partners that we will not be able to work with them on new Android phones to be released for the Turkish market,” a Google spokesperson is quoted as saying.

“Consumers will be able to purchase existing device models and will be able to use their devices and applications normally. Google’s other services will be unaffected.”

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Google is no stranger to antitrust action, with its dominance of the search market and its commanding position in the smartphoneoperating systemsector attracting the interest of regulators around the world.

Last year, the EU issueda €4.34 billion finefollowing allegations Google used its favourable position in the mobile market to block competing search and browser services. Google has also received penalties for its advertising practices.

ViaReuters

Steve McCaskill is TechRadar Pro’s resident mobile industry expert, covering all aspects of the UK and global news, from operators to service providers and everything in between. He is a former editor of Silicon UK and journalist with over a decade’s experience in the technology industry, writing about technology, in particular, telecoms, mobile and sports tech, sports, video games and media.

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