Australia Slaps Google with $55M Fine Over Anti-Competitive Android Search Practices

Google's Asia-Pacific subsidiary has been ordered to pay AU$55 million in penalties after Australia's Federal Court approved a settlement with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). The case revolves around anti-competitive agreements that forced Android devices sold by Telstra and Optus to pre-install Google Search as the default engine from December 2019 to March 2021.

The ACCC's legal action highlights how Google's revenue-sharing arrangements with Australian telcos stifled competition in the search market. While Google cooperated with regulators and admitted to the conduct, the ruling opens doors for Android manufacturers and carriers to offer diverse search options—a MOVE that could reshape digital advertising revenues in the region.

European Union precedents, where search choice screens provided market data to competitors, suggest Australian regulators may push for similar transparency measures. This case underscores the growing global scrutiny of Big Tech's dominance in Core digital infrastructure.