German cartel office: some Google Automotive Services practices anti-competitive

Germany’s cartel office said on Wednesday that a number of Google’s practices in connection with Google Automotive Services are anti-competitive and that it intends to prohibit them.

“In particular, we take a critical view of Google’s practice of only offering services for infotainment systems in bundled form, because this reduces competitors’ chances of selling competing services individually,” said president Andreas Mundt.

Based on its current assessment, the office intends to prohibit Google from engaging in the practices that threaten competition, it said, adding that Google now has the opportunity to respond to the allegations.