Google starts fixing breaches on Russian app store market

MOSCOW, Sep 30 (PRIME) -- Google has started fulfilling an order of Russia’s Federal Antimonopoly Service with a mailout of notifications to Android device users on an option to deactivate preinstalled applications of the U.S. company and add programs of other producers, according to information obtained by PRIME late Thursday.

“If you don’t want to use any Google applications, which were preinstalled on your device, like Chrome, Gmail or Google Calendar, you can easily deactivate them,” the company said.

Google also attaches a reference note how to delete its programs and install applications and widgets of other producers on the main screen.

The antimonopoly watchdog earlier found Google guilty of abusing its dominant position on the local market of preinstalled application stores, which it promoted in a tie-up with its other services. The authority fined the company 438 million rubles and ordered it to fix breaches. The pay date expired in late August.

The authority said earlier it could impose a penalty of up to 500,000 rubles for disrespect of the order by the U.S. company.

Google earlier repeatedly contested the antimonopoly service’s decision at court, and procedures are still under way.

(63.1581 rubles – U.S. $1)

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