After making changes complying with European Commission's decision, Google in its latest blog has said that it will be charging rival search engines for becoming default search provider option to European users while setting up their Android devices. Google is trying to stave off fresh penalties and EU antitrust concerns, wherein the tech giant will be allowing device users in Europe to select default search engine from four options. Google Pay Will Now Send SMS Alerts for Transactions.

From early 2020, all new android smartphones and tablets shipping into European Economic Area will come with a choice screen featuring four search engines wherein the users need to select any one from the options given.

Google will be providing an opportunity to rival search engines to bid in an auction for winning on users' screen. The rivals will bid along with Google to become default search engine on device's home screen and Chrome browser.

The American tech giant stated that the auction will be carried out in every EEA country and the three highest bidder will seal the deal. The top three bidders will appear on the choice screen for a given nation.

"In the event that fewer than three eligible search providers meet or exceed the bid threshold, Google will fill any remaining slots randomly from the pool of eligible search providers".

This move from Google came after the tech giant was fined by European Commission for €4.34 billion last year for blocking rivals on its Android mobile OS.

The body also mentioned that Google had an unfair advantage on smartphones and tablets with pre-installed Chrome browser and Google search app. Since then, Google has allowed the Android users to choose an option from the rival browsers and search engine options in Europe.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 02, 2019 07:57 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).