Russia’s Federal Anti-monopoly Service (FAS) has fined Google 438 million rubles (approximately $6.7 million at the current exchange rate) for abusing its dominant position in the Russian market.
This fine accounts for some 2.5% of the turnover of Google’s Russian subsidiary, noted the Russian business daily Kommersant.
Google was found guilty of violating anti-monopoly laws by forcing phone makers to bundle some of its apps — including Gmail, Google Search and Google Play — on their devices with the Android operating system. Manufacturers may use Android without these apps installed, but if they wish to offer one of them, they have to offer them all.
The fine comes after a 18-month-long legal procedure which started with a complaint filed by Google’s Russian rival, Yandex. The US company lost an appeal in March.
Google is required to pay the fine in full within two months, but an out-of-court settlement is still open, the FAS stated.
What’s more, the FAS’s decision can still be appealed, a legal expert from BMS Law Firm told Kommersant.
Recently, Google began surpassing Yandex in terms of monthly audience in Russia, even though the Russian search company is keeping its leadership in terms of daily audience. Google’s traction is particularly strong among mobile users, the majority of which use Android-powered smartphones.
