Italy fines Google $123 mn for abuse of dominant position

Italy’s anti-trust authority said Thursday it had fined Google more than 100 million euros ($120 million) for shutting out a rival’s smartphone app offering recharging of electric vehicles.

Google’s Android operating system and Google Play app store dominate the Italian market, and the authority said the firm abused its market position by blocking an Enel X app for users of electric vehicles.

The regulator added that it would require Google to make Enel X’s app available on Android Auto, which mirrors features of an Android device, such as a smartphone, on a car dashboard screen.

“We respectfully disagree with the authority’s decision and we will review our options,” a Google spokesman said in a statement.