Russia Fines Google By USD 6.8 Million in An Antitrust Issue

Google is penalized for RUB 438 million (USD 6.8 million or Rs. 45 crores approx) by Russia’s anti-trust authority on Thursday. The step has been taken after finding Google guilty of forcing smartphone manufacturers to install company’s search engine on Androids.

Yandex, Russia’s largest search engine filed a complaint over Google, which resulted the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) to believe that the techno giant firm has violated the rule on “protecting competition.” The Federal authority has given a laxity (relaxation) of nearly two months to the company to make payment for the fine imposed on them.

Yelena Zayeva, the Head of its Department for Regulating Communications and IT was quoted as saying, “The ruling will allow the development of competition on the mobile software market in Russia, which will have a positive effect for consumers. All companies whose production is on sale in Russia have to observe the law on competition.”

Defending itself Google replied ASF in a statement, “We have received notice of the fine from FAS and will analyse closely before deciding our next steps. In the meantime, we continue to talk to all invested parties to help consumers, device manufacturers and developers thrive on Android in Russia.”

Google’s Android OS covers almost 80% of the total smartphone market across the world, which allows the company to provide search and other useful services to users.

Similar cases have been filed on Google by some other countries, mainly the European countries. The European Union has filed three cases against the technology firm with the same cause.

Apple also has been charged for alleged fixing of reseller’s price of iPhone in Russia by the country’s anti trust authority this week. Apple Inc. replied in an statement, “Resellers set their own prices for the Apple products they sell in Russia and around the world.”