Tech firms make 'Trojan Horse' Google Android complaint to EU

Microsoft, Nokia and Oracle among FairSearch coalition members calling for Google practices to be investigated

A coalition of web and technology organisations including Microsoft, Nokia and Oracle have filed an anti-trust complaint to the European Commission, claiming Google's Android operating system gives the firm an unfair advantage in the mobile marketplace.

The group of 17 companies, known collectively as FairSearch, argue that Google has dominated the mobile space by giving its OS to device makers for free, but insisting Android phones wishing to use Google applications such as Maps, YouTube or Play must give a default prominent position to the entire Google suite.

FairSearch also argues that Google's domination disadvantages consumers by putting the organisation in control of vast amounts of consumer data.

"Google is using its Android mobile operating system as a ‘Trojan Horse' to deceive partners, monopolise the mobile marketplace and control consumer data," said Thomas Vinje, Brussels-based counsel to FairSearch.

"We are asking the commission to move quickly and decisively to protect competition and innovation in this critical market. Failure to act will only embolden Google to repeat its desktop abuses of dominance as consumers increasingly turn to a mobile platform dominated by Google's Android operating system."

Vinje argued that European consumers deserve a rigorous investigation of Google's mobile practices, and real protections against further abuses by Google. "Given Google's track record of ignoring the law, mobile internet users should be very concerned," he added.

EU regulators will be required to respond to the formal complaint made by the FairSearch coalition.

The call for an investigation into Google's domination of the mobile marketplace comes as its privacy policy is set to be investigated by six European nations including the UK, which seeks to determine if it is compliant with the Data Protection Act.

Last month, European Union antitrust regulators fined Microsoft - one of the organisations making a complaint against Google - €561m (£485m, $731m) for failing to adhere to commitments to provide European consumers with a choice of web browser.

Microsoft had failed to follow through on a legally binding promise to increase competition in the web browser space by allowing users to select their own service when Windows 7 was installed.