Google is facing antitrust complaints in South Korea as mobile phones using its Android software gain dominance, reports Bloomberg. NHN and Daum Communications, operators of South Korea's internet search sites, said in statements that they filed complaints against Google with the country's Fair Trade Commission for blocking local phone carriers and manufacturers from embedding their search applications in devices using the Android operating system. Android is an open platform, and carriers and partners are free to decide which applications and services to include, Lois Kim, a Seoul-based spokeswoman for Google, said. We're looking forward to working with the FTC to address any questions they may have, she said. Google has banned South Korean phone manufacturers from including web search applications made by other companies under its marketing contracts, NHN said in its statement. Google has delayed certifying the use of its software for handset makers that violated the condition, NHN said. Daum said that it learned about Google's practices while trying to have its applications installed and has evidence to prove its claims. Kwon Cheol Hyun, head of the service-industry monitoring division at the FTC, declined to comment.
