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Google recently received a billion-dollar fine from the European Union for abuse of power through the Android mobile operating system. The company is now implementing a number of measures in which it says it is meeting the EU’s requirements. From now on, manufacturers who sell their devices in the EU will have to buy Google apps separately and thus pay for them.

In a blog post, Google explains a number of measures it is taking for the EU. From now on, Android partners will also be able to release other devices in Europe with, for example, a different version of the OS, or with a fork. This is allowed, even if the Google apps are not included. Until now, this has always been mandatory.

New conditions

This will also change the way it publishes Google apps in the European Union. From now on, manufacturers will be able to buy Google apps separately, without having to include the Google Search app or Chrome browser. All manufacturers will therefore pay for a license on the devices they release within the EU. Search and Chrome remain available for free under another license.

As a result, more smartphones with services from Google’s competitors may come onto the market. After all, a manufacturer no longer has to install everything from Google on an Android smartphone and can therefore choose. The question is whether this will happen, given the large number of users of the Google apps. The new conditions will apply from 29 October.

EU billions fine

Google is taking these measures in response to the billions fine imposed on it by the European Union. It was decided that Google could not require manufacturers to install the Search app and Chrome browser on Android devices. That’s what Google demanded in exchange for permission to use Play Store.

Last week, the company appealed against the fine, but in the meantime it is making some adjustments to its policy.

This news article was automatically translated from Dutch to give Techzine.eu a head start. All news articles after September 1, 2019 are written in native English and NOT translated. All our background stories are written in native English as well. For more information read our launch article.