Switzerland's competition authority has launched a preliminary investigation into Google after the company removed the Android "Choice Screen" feature for users in the country.

The Secretariat of the Competition Commission (COMCO) said it is examining whether Google's decision could restrict competition under Switzerland's Cartel Act.

The Choice Screen allows users to select their preferred default search engine when setting up a new Android device. While the feature remains available across the European Economic Area (EEA), Google has removed it in Switzerland, meaning Google Search is automatically set as the default search engine during device setup.

COMCO said default settings play a significant role in digital markets because they can influence user behaviour and make it harder for rivals to compete. The watchdog added that the Choice Screen was designed to reduce the lock-in effects associated with preconfigured services.

According to the COMCO, removing the feature could reduce the visibility of competing search engines during device setup, strengthening barriers to entry for rivals.

The regulator added that the change could also affect other providers of digital services that rely on search distribution and creates different treatment for Swiss users compared with consumers in the EEA, despite what it described as similar competition concerns.

The preliminary investigation will determine whether there are sufficient indications of an unlawful restriction of competition to justify further action under Swiss competition law.

COMCO said the findings could also inform future assessments of default settings on other mobile devices.

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