COMCO opens Google probe over removed Android search choice

Switzerland's Competition Commission (COMCO) has opened a preliminary investigation into Google after the company removed a feature that allowed Android users to select an alternative default search engine. The "Choice Screen" tool, which remains active in the European Economic Area, was withdrawn in Switzerland, automatically imposing Google's search engine on new device setups.

Default settings are a critical driver of traffic and revenue in digital markets because they dictate consumer behavior before any competitor can make their pitch. COMCO warned that stripping away this option severely restricts the visibility of rival search engines and other digital service providers. For competitors, losing this initial touchpoint makes it significantly more expensive to acquire users and challenge the incumbent platform.

Google's commanding position in the Swiss market underscores the regulator's concern. The company currently controls 82 percent of the country's search market, according to web analytics firm Statcounter. Any mechanism that funnels new mobile users directly into Google's ecosystem without offering an alternative further solidifies an already dominant market share, effectively raising barriers to entry for rival firms.

The probe also highlights a strategic regulatory divergence between Switzerland and the European Union regarding big tech compliance. COMCO explicitly noted that Google's withdrawal of the feature creates unequal treatment between Swiss consumers and those in the EEA. This discrepancy suggests tech companies may be calibrating their compliance obligations based on jurisdictional boundaries, a tactic that smaller markets are now pushing back against.

Google acknowledged the inquiry but did not detail its reasons for removing the feature in Switzerland. "We look forward to cooperating fully with the authority to address their questions," a company spokesperson said.

The preliminary phase will assess whether the removal of the choice screen constitutes an abuse of market power under the Swiss Cartel Act. If COMCO finds indications of unlawful behavior and escalates to a formal investigation, it could force Google to reinstate the feature or face substantial financial penalties. For market professionals, the development signals that scrutiny over the mechanics of digital dominance is tightening across Europe, extending well beyond the EU's borders.