Switzerland’s Competition Commission (COMCO) launched a preliminary investigation on July 14 into Google’s removal of the Android Choice Screen feature for users in Switzerland. The probe examines whether the change, which leaves Google Search as the default, violates the Swiss Cartel Act. Google stated it will cooperate fully with the authority.
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“Google probed by Swiss regulator over Android default search feature”
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The probe addresses Big Tech’s use of dominance to limit consumer choice and entrench market position.
“Accountability for concentrated corporate power where self-regulation has failed”
Regulatory intervention risks bureaucratic overreach into private product design decisions.
“Market competition versus regulatory micromanagement of platforms”
Government insertion into voluntary product choices by a private firm whose users can alter defaults.
“Consumer sovereignty and voluntary exchange over regulatory protection of rivals”
All three overlook that the Choice Screen was an EU-imposed remedy and that Switzerland was never subject to it; they also assume default status equals reduced agency without usage data.
“Regulatory artifact presented as organic market feature; low-bar preliminary probe may serve competitor interests”
Ratings by MBFC