FairSearch, an international coalition of tech companies including Microsoft (MSFT 0.28%), Nokia (NOK 0.45%), Oracle (ORCL 1.79%), and others, has filed a complaint with the European Commission against Google's (GOOG +1.69%) Android operating system.
The group alleges that Google's practice of bundling its first-party mobile apps in Android is anticompetitive, according to a press release the group issued today.
Android is used as a "Trojan Horse" to "deceive partners, monopolize the mobile marketplace, and control consumer data," according to FairSearch counsel Thomas Vinje. The complaint also says that while Android is positioned as a "free" platform since it's open-source, phone makers still must include a wide range of Google's apps and services to successfully bring a device to market, which the group says puts competition at an inherent disadvantage.
The European Commission has already acknowledged antitrust concerns regarding Google on desktop search, and FairSearch wants regulators to similarly scrutinize Google's mobile strategy.
Microsoft recently agreed to pay a $732 million fine to the European Commission for failing to offer Internet browser choices in Windows 7, which the company blamed on a technical error.
