If that's their response it's way off the mark. Google is a huge company and yes Android is one aspect of it that is wonderful and open. However the aspect being scrutinised by the EU is its search monopoly.
It's no defence to just hold up a shield of good behaviour within another realm of business.
Personally I'm torn on the actual issue anyhow. I'm trying to see why a private company like Google is bound to any degree of public duty on its own websites. Are search engines special domains where the owners can't advertise their own products above and beyond all others?
Yes Google have search dominance, but it's a free service, there should be no pressure on Google to weaken their self-advertising on a free platform. Instead the onus is on its competitors to offer compelling reasons for searchers to use their platforms over Google's.
It's no defence to just hold up a shield of good behaviour within another realm of business.
Personally I'm torn on the actual issue anyhow. I'm trying to see why a private company like Google is bound to any degree of public duty on its own websites. Are search engines special domains where the owners can't advertise their own products above and beyond all others?
Yes Google have search dominance, but it's a free service, there should be no pressure on Google to weaken their self-advertising on a free platform. Instead the onus is on its competitors to offer compelling reasons for searchers to use their platforms over Google's.