Google Maps To Cooperate With Regulators

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Google Maps To Cooperate With Regulators

Google Maps Cooperating With US Regulators

The Justice Department in the United States has resumed inquiries into the Google Maps after the same in late 2020 to find out whether the company is bundling it illegally with other software to stifle competition. Google reacted by stating they are cooperating with the regulators and are welcoming their questions.

The probe mainly is equipped with two components. One focuses on the apps in vehicles provided through the display screens. Google provides a package of its Maps, Assistant, App Store and other services to automakers, who are prevented from using the same services of smaller rivals.

Google said its integration is basically for the best user experience and simultaneously a voice assistant of a rival can work with its Google Maps.

The second component being investigated is on website and app developers. It is to identify whether one technology of Google can be used with the technologies of rivals.

Meanwhile, Google states its policies are mainly focused on providing a better user experience and a mix of information may lead to errors.

Meanwhile, it is reported that a couple of developers have received notices of violation from the search giant while mixing data of it with other service providers. They argued that the competing options were comparatively cheaper and simultaneously more detailed in some cases.

The anonymous developers said the new privacy policy of Google is a matter of concern as rival mapping providers cannot collect data fully from Android operating systems.

Bundling of products is not illegal always, but it becomes antitrust if the rival companies are barred from benefiting from the products.

Microsoft was similarly sued in 1998 for breaching the antitrust law in the operating system market to gain a monopoly in the browser part. It tried to crush the Netscape browser and promote the Internet Explorer web browser.

Meanwhile, Google is facing a lawsuit over online advertising dominancy.

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