Why Enel X gets electrified with the Antitrust fine to Google
The Competition Authority has ordered Google to make the Enel X app available on Android Auto, which allows users to use services related to the charging of electric vehicles. All the details on the Antitrust resolution and on Google's position
The Antitrust sanctions Google and makes Enel X happy. Here's how and why.
The Authority ordered Google to make the Enel X app available on Android Auto, which allows users to use services related to the recharging of electric vehicles.
This is the essence of the resolution of the Authority responsible for the market and competition.
WHAT HAS AGCM DECIDED AGAINST GOOGLE
The Italian Antitrust Authority has imposed a fine of over 100 million euros (102,084,433.91) on the companies Alphabet Inc., Google LLC and Google Italy Srl for violation of art. 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. “Through the Android operating system and the Google Play app store, Google holds a dominant position that allows it to control the access of app developers to end users. It should be remembered that in Italy about three quarters of smartphones use Android. ”, Reads the statement from the authority chaired by Roberto Rustichelli.
HERE ARE GOOGLE'S OBSTACLES TO ENEL X
As ascertained by the Authority, Google has not allowed the interoperability of the JuicePass app with Android Auto, a specific Android feature that allows apps to be used when the user is driving in compliance with the safety and reduction requirements. distraction. “JuicePass allows a wide range of functional services for recharging electric vehicles, ranging from finding a recharging column to managing the recharging session through to booking a charging station; this latter function guarantees the actual availability of the infrastructure once the user has reached it ”, recalls the Agcm.
ALL REQUESTS FROM ENEL X THAT WERE AGAINST GOOGLE
Google, refusing Enel X Italia to make JuicePass available on Android Auto, "has unfairly limited the possibilities for users to use the Enel X Italia app when they are driving an electric vehicle and need to recharge – writes the Guarantor – In this way, Google has favored its own Google Maps app, which can be used on Android Auto and allows functional services for charging electric vehicles, currently limited to the search for charging stations and navigation but which may include other features in the future , for example booking and payment ".
HOW MUCH DOES THE EXCLUSION OF ENEL X FROM ANDROID AUTO GO FORWARD
The exclusion of the app Enel from Italy X Android Auto has lasted more than two years. The continuation of this conduct could definitively compromise the possibility for Enel X Italia to build a solid user base, in a phase of significant growth in sales of electric vehicles. Furthermore, the JuicePass app could go out of the ranks of applications used by users, causing a significant reduction in consumer choice and an obstacle to technological progress. The Authority then points out how the contested conduct may influence the development of electric mobility in a crucial phase of its start, in particular as regards the strengthening of an infrastructure network for recharging electric cars suitable for the growth and evolution phase. of the demand for top-up services. Hence the possible negative repercussions on the spread of electric vehicles, on the use of “clean” energy and on the transition towards more sustainable mobility from an environmental point of view.
Finally, the Antitrust Authority has imposed – reads the note from the Guarantor – on Google to make available to Enel X Italia, as well as other app developers, tools for programming interoperable apps with Android Auto and will monitor the actual and correct implementation of the obligations imposed by making use of an independent expert responsible for the implementation and monitoring of the obligations to which Google must provide all the collaboration and information requested.
THE GOOGLE POSITION
We respectfully disagree with the AGCM's decision, we will examine the documentation and evaluate the next steps ". This was stated by a spokesperson for Google, commenting on the 100 million fine imposed by the Antitrust. “Android Auto's number one priority – says the spokesperson – is to ensure that apps can be used safely while driving. This is why we have strict guidelines on the types of apps supported, based on industry regulatory standards and tests on distraction at the wheel. There are thousands of applications compatible with Android Auto, and our goal is to allow even more developers to make their apps available over time. For example, we have introduced reference models for navigation, electric car charging and parking apps, which are open and available to developers ”.
This is a machine translation from Italian language of a post published on Start Magazine at the URL https://www.startmag.it/primo-piano/perche-enel-x-si-elettrizza-per-la-multa-antitrust-a-google/ on Thu, 13 May 2021 07:39:59 +0000.