Russian search giant Yandex is suing Google for what it says is anti-competitive practices.
The country's largest search provider accused Google of actively preventing local smartphone vendors from pre-loading competing services onto Android devices.
"Many believe that Android is an open platform," the filing said. "In reality, manufacturers of Android-powered devices are locked into the proprietary Google Play on their devices, device manufacturers are required to pre-install the entire suite of Google GMS services, and set Google as the default search."
Three Russian smartphone vendors—Prestigio, Fly, and Explay—last year were blocked from adding Yandex services to their stock of Android gadgets, which account for more than 86 percent of all smartphones sold in Russia.
Google would prefer that its Android partners pre-load Google apps on their devices, of course, but they are not required to do so. The Android-based X line Nokia introduced in 2013, for example, was based on the customizable Android Open Source Platform (AOSP). The OS on those phones looked more like Windows Phone devices, and they did not come pre-loaded with Google Play.
Yandex, however, is not satisfied with the AOSP option. "Chances are high that Google will continue this practice," Yandex said.
According to the lawsuit, Yandex believes user-centric services—search, maps, email, etc.—should be unbundled from the OS, leveling the playing field and allowing local developers to expand their audiences.
"But ultimately, it is the end-users who suffer because of inferior services," the complaint said.
Here in the U.S., consumer rights law firm Hagens Berman filed a similar lawsuit last year.
A year ago, the Russian company introduced a firmware kit for Android devices that lets overseas providers embrace the mobile OS without going through Google. The Yandex.Kit suite features search, maps, and email, while social networking and other apps can be downloaded from the store.