TPG agrees not to enter new pre-installation deals for Google search
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The news: The competition regulator has accepted a court-enforceable undertaking from telco TPG that it will not renew or enter into new agreements with Google to pre-install Google search services as a default search function on Android devices.
The context: In a statement today, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said it accepted TPG's undertaking to the regulator, which have resulted from the ACCC's ongoing investigation into Google's search services in Australia.
Telstra and Optus have committed to similar undertakings that were accepted by the ACCC last month.
The ACCC found Google had initiated and entered into agreements with TPG since at least 2018 requiring the pre-installation of Google search services as the default search service on Android devices supplied by TPG.
TPG, Telstra and Optus are each able to continue to offer Google’s search services, and enter into agreements with Google to offer Google’s search services, as long as any agreement complies with their undertaking to the ACCC.
The ACCC is continuing to investigate Google’s conduct in entering into such agreements more broadly.
What they said: “We are pleased that now all three mobile network operators in Australia have responded to the ACCC’s competition concerns by offering these undertakings,” ACCC commissioner Liza Carver said.
“In our view, this undertaking from TPG, following those recently accepted from Telstra and Optus, is another important step towards providing Australian consumers with more choice about the digital platforms and services they use, and to encourage more competition in these markets,” Carver said.
The source: ACCC media release
