European Court Upholds Google’s Abuse of Dominance in Android Auto Case

The European Court of Justice has upheld a landmark ruling against Google, stating that its refusal to grant access to Enel's app, JuicePass, on its Android Auto platform constituted an abuse of market dominance. This decision, announced on Tuesday, underscores the ongoing scrutiny faced by tech giants over competition and interoperability issues.

In 2021, Google's practices came under fire when the Italian antitrust authority fined the tech company €102 million. The penalty was imposed for preventing the JuicePass app, which allows users to locate and reserve electric vehicle charging stations, from being accessed via Android Auto. Following this, the Italian Council of State escalated the matter to the European Court after Google's challenge to the antitrust authority's decision.

Google argued that its inability to ensure the interoperability of Enel's app on Android Auto might be justified if it posed risks to platform integrity or security. However, while the court agreed with Google that security concerns could justify limited interoperability, it found no evidence that such requirements existed at the time Enel requested access.

"We prioritise building the features drivers need most because we believe that innovation should be driven by user demand, not specific companies' requests.” – Google

Despite Google's assertions that JuicePass's absence from Android Auto did not stifle competition in the electric vehicle charging app sector, the European Court confirmed Google's abuse of dominance. The court emphasized that the lack of interoperability was a significant factor, even though it did not directly hinder competition in third-party app markets.

The court's decision is final and mandates that the Italian antitrust authority reevaluate Google's appeal in light of this judgment. In response to the ruling, Google maintained its stance but acknowledged the conclusion of this legal chapter.

"We have now launched the feature Enel requested." – Google

Google also highlighted its efforts to develop a new template for Android Auto access that aligns with security standards, despite these standards not existing when Enel initially sought access.