Archive · 18 Aug 2025
Google to Pay $36M Fine for Australian Anticompetitive Deals
Google made deals with phone companies in Australia to pre-install its search app.
This stopped other search apps from being easily used.
Australia's government said this was unfair because it limited choices, so Google will pay a fine.
Google is removing the restrictions, allowing other search apps to be offered.
This helps consumers by increasing choices and ensuring competition between companies.
Google will pay a $36 million fine for anticompetitive deals in Australia.
The agreements involved pre-installing Google Search on Android phones.
Telstra and Optus excluded other search engines under the agreements.
The agreements were in place for 15 months until March 2021.
Google will remove pre-installation restrictions from its contracts.
- Who
- Google, Telstra, Optus, and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
- What
- Google will pay a fine for anticompetitive deals.
- When
- The agreements were in place for 15 months until March 2021.
- Where
- Australia.
- Why
- Google was found to have hurt competition by pre-installing its search app on phones, excluding other search engines.
ACCC
Competition concerns
Google accepted the agreements impacted competition.
ACCC
ACCC found the deals restricted competition.
- Fine Amount
- $36 million
- Country
- Australia
- Companies involved
- Google, Telstra, Optus
- Reason for Fine
- Anticompetitive deals
- Regulatory body
- ACCC
- Agreement Duration
- 15 months until March 2021
Sources
Google agrees $36 million fine for anti-competitive deals with Australia telcos
Google to pay $36 mn fine for anticompetitive deals with Australia's largest telcos
Google to pay $36 million after striking deals that shut out rival search engines in Australia
Google to pay $36 million fine for anticompetitive deals with Australia's largest telcos
Google Fined $36 Million in Australia for Anti-Competitive Deals with Telcos
