Russian Watchdog Fines Google $6.8 Million

Russia’s antimonopoly watchdog has fined Google 438 million rubles ($6.8 million) for violating antitrust rules on tablets and mobile phones.

The fine was determined as a share of Google Play’s domestic sales, the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) said on August 11.

The U.S. tech giant said it would study the decision before determining further action.

Following a complaint by Russian search engine Yandex, FAS found in September that Google violated Russian laws by requiring mobile-device makers to install its services as a precondition to getting Google Play on gadgets powered by its Android operating system.

The world’s leading phone software supplier also didn’t allow third-party services, such as Yandex’s search, to be preinstalled, the regulator said.

Based on reporting by Reuters and Bloomberg