The Commission has stepped up inquiries in recent weeks, sending companies questionnaires that seek far more details than previous queries on the matter in 2011 and 2013, the report said. In one questionnaire seen by Reuters, respondents were asked whether there was a requirement set by Google, written or unwritten, that they not pre-install apps, products or services on mobile devices that compete with Google software like its search engine, app store and maps. Companies must provide correspondence as far back as 2007 related to such deals with Google. Respondents have been given until early September to reply to more than 40 questions.
While any company is free to use the open-source Android software, mobile handset makers that want to use the newest version must sign a contract that stipulates a minimum number of Google services be pre-installed on devices, a former Google executive with knowledge of the matter told Reuters. The news agency's sources said the European Commission is likely to start a formal probe into Android once it wraps up the investigation into Google's search services. A final decision on that is expected before the current Commission finishes work in October.
