Google forced to open up Android to rival search engines in Russia

The 6.2m settlement sets new precedent for pre-installation of third-party apps and search engines, including Russia's Yandex

Google has been forced to open up Android to rival search engines and applications in Russia, after settling a two-year battle with competition authorities for 439m roubles (6.2m).

The deal sets a new precedent for Google, which until now has resisted permitting the pre-installation of rival search engines and certain applications on to the world's most popular operating system. In 2015, Russia's Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) ruled that the Android-maker was breaking the law and abusing its dominant position through restrictions on third-party manufacturers, fining Google 438m rubles (6.2m) in August 2016.