Google fined $123 million in Italy for blocking an EV app from Android Auto

The flexibility of the ecosystem has allowed Google Android to go beyond smartphones, even into infotainment systems in cars. However, the success of the open-source OS is raising questions from regulators, fearing the tech giant’s undue influence in certain markets.

The Italian competition authority ordered Google to pay more than € 100 million in penalties for abuse of dominance. Regulators were dissatisfied with the fact that an application related to charging electric vehicles for more than two years could not become available on the Google Android Auto infotainment platform.

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This is the JuicePass app, which gives EV drivers access to around 95,000 public charging points in Europe. It is promoted by Enel X, a subsidiary of the Italian electricity supplier Enel.

According to regulators, Google has blocked JuicePass in favor of Google Maps, which also allows users to search for nearby electric car charging points. In addition to the fine, the regulator ordered Google to make the JuicePass app available in Android Auto.

(Via)