ZURICH, July 14 - Switzerland’s Competition Commission (COMCO) has opened a preliminary investigation into Google after the company removed a setup option that previously allowed mobile users to select a different default search engine, the regulator said on Tuesday.
The feature, known as the "Choice Screen," presented users with choices for default search engines during the initial setup of a new Android device. COMCO said the functionality was taken out of Android devices in Switzerland while remaining in place in other European countries, resulting in Google Search being presented as the de facto default for Swiss users.
Google confirmed it is aware of the probe and told COMCO it intends to cooperate. "We look forward to cooperating fully with the authority to address their questions," a company spokesperson said.
COMCO highlighted the importance of default settings in digital markets, noting that such settings have a decisive influence on which services gain visibility during device setup. By removing the Choice Screen in Switzerland, other search engines lose a point of exposure where many users make their default selection, the regulator said.
"This new practice by Google could affect the ability of search engine providers and, more broadly, other digital service providers to compete," COMCO added, saying the change also creates unequal treatment between Swiss users and those in the European Economic Area.
The preliminary inquiry will assess whether there are signs of unlawful competition under the Swiss Cartel Act. COMCO will therefore look for indications that Google’s change to the setup experience could breach competition law provisions.
COMCO’s statement cites Google’s very large market share in Switzerland, referencing data from web analytics firm Statcounter that shows Google holds 82% of the search market in the country.
Context and implications
COMCO’s probe centers on a configuration change that affects discoverability and default distribution of search services on Android devices sold or used in Switzerland. The regulator has framed the issue narrowly: the inquiry is focused on whether Google’s removal of the Choice Screen produces an unlawful restriction of competition under Swiss law.
At this stage, the investigation is preliminary; it aims to establish whether sufficient indications exist to proceed further under the Swiss Cartel Act.