Android and Competition Law: Exploring and Assessing Google's Practices in Mobile

Abstract

Since its launch in 2007, Android has become the dominant mobile device operating system worldwide. In light of this commercial success and certain disputed business practices, Android has come under substantial attention from competition authorities. We present key aspects of Google’s strategy in mobile, focusing on Android-related practices that may have exclusionary effects. We then assess Google’s practices under competition law and, where appropriate, suggest remedies to right the violations we uncover.

Keywords: Android, antitrust, competition policy, exclusion, mobile communication devices, remedies, tying

JEL Classification: K21, L42, L41, L40, L99