Google’s recent decision to eliminate the ‘Choice Screen’ for Swiss Android users has sparked a preliminary investigation by Switzerland’s competition watchdog, WEKO. This feature, which allows users to select their default search engine during device setup, remains available in the EU but has been removed in Switzerland, raising concerns about competition and user choice.
The absence of this choice could significantly impact the visibility of competing search engines, effectively creating higher barriers for new entrants in the market. WEKO argues that default settings are crucial in digital markets, and this change may limit options for Swiss consumers, contrasting sharply with their EU counterparts who still enjoy this feature.
Switzerland’s unique position outside the EU and EEA means it is not bound by the Digital Markets Act, which mandates such choices. This situation tests the assumption that Swiss users would automatically benefit from EU regulations, as highlighted by a 2023 government assessment.
While Switzerland is developing its own platform law, it is not expected to address default settings until at least 2026. The ongoing investigation will determine if Google’s actions constitute an unlawful restriction of competition under Swiss law, potentially reshaping the digital landscape for Swiss consumers in the future.
Source: Euronews
