Google implements the demands of the EU Commission and introduces a search engine selection for the initial setup of Android devices. If the competitors want to be as good as possible in the list, they have to pay for it. Google launches an auction for this and prefers search engine providers who offer extra money. On a webpage too Choice Screen Google lists the details of the auction.
Since April 2019, when using a smartphone or tablet, Android users are explicitly warned that they can install another search engine and browser. From 2020, the search engine selection will be integrated directly into the setup process of an Android device. The provider chosen by the user takes over the search field on the Android start screen and the default search in the Chrome browser, if installed.
Google is calling search engine vendors to apply to appear in this search selection. The interested parties have to tell how much they would pay per user won. The higher the announced payment, the better the position in the selection list. Providers do not have to pay Google unless they are selected by a user as the default search engine.
The auction is to take place in camera. Google has announced that there will be minimum and maximum bids but has not specified them further. If there are not enough people interested in the search engine list, Google will fill them randomly.
This is for Google but only a stopgap, better was an auction. The view of Google looks like this: "An auction is a fair and objective way to determine which search providers are included in the selection screen."
Competition criticizes the auction
The competition sees it completely differently: Eric Leandri, managing director of the Paris-based search engine Qwant, said Bloombergthat it will check whether his company will participate in the auction in order to reach customers. He called the auction "a total abuse of the dominant position" Google's. For him it was not fair to um "To ask money just to make a proposal with alternatives",
The European Commission Bloomberg saidthat the EU is implementing the mechanism of the selection screen "closely monitor" will. The changes would allow competing search engines to do business with smartphone and tablet manufacturers to pre-install their services.
Supplement from 2 August 2019, 16:52 clock
The Burda subsidiary Cliqz has registered as a search engine provider at Golem.de with a statement. The approach of Google comments Marc Al-Hames, CEO of Cliqz, as follows: "The audacity with which Google disregards the clear political will of the EU, amazes me again and again." The search engine leader is literally dancing on the political decision-makers and wants to show who's in charge.
"Speaking of fairness here is absurd: if the highest bidder wins the bid and not the best, the user is the Gelackmeierte users have to choose whether, for example, decide for the most private or the most innovative search." Google could drive up the price arbitrarily and the bidding search engines would have to recoup their investment by aggressively advertising or selling data. In the end, pay the user. The pervertiere the intention to regulate Google's monopoly position.
