On Thursday, an adviser to Europe’s top court backed Italy’s antitrust authority, suggesting that Google’s refusal to permit Enel’s e-mobility app access to its Android Auto platform might contravene competition regulations.
Advocate General Laila Medina of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) stated, “Google’s refusal to provide third-party access to the Android Auto platform may be in breach of competition rules.”
In 2021, the Italian antitrust authority imposed a 102 million euro ($113.18 million) fine on Google for allegedly prioritizing Google Maps over Enel’s JuicePass. The JuicePass app is designed to enable drivers to navigate and manage their driving experience through their car dashboards, including messaging functionalities.
The CJEU, which is set to make a final ruling in the coming months, often aligns with the majority of such advisory opinions, though they are not legally binding.
