Google faces competition scrutiny over Android Auto app block
The Court of Justice of the European Union will issue its final ruling in the coming months.
Google’s refusal to include Enel’s e-mobility app, JuicePass, on its Android Auto platform may violate competition rules, according to an adviser to Europe’s top court. The Italian antitrust authority previously fined Google €102 million ($113.2 million) in 2021 for blocking the app, which helps drivers navigate and manage messages from their dashboards.
Court Advocate General Laila Medina supported Italy’s stance, arguing that Google’s actions could breach competition laws by unfairly excluding third-party apps and harming consumers. Google had cited security concerns and the lack of a specific template for the app, but it has since taken steps to address these issues, adding the necessary template for compatibility with Android Auto.
The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) will make the final decision, which is expected to rule in the coming months. Google has stated it is working to resolve the issue and is already offering similar apps globally on Android Auto.
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