Information Regarding the German Federal Cartel Office Decision on Google Automotive Services (B7-25/22 Google Automotive Services)
In April 2025, Google reached a decision with the German Federal Cartel Office (FCO - Bundeskartellamt) related to the licensing of Google Automotive Services (GAS).
What this means for the Android automotive ecosystem
As part of this decision, we have made the following changes:
- Standalone Options: We will enable Google’s offerings so Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) of passenger cars can mix-and-match Google-branded, Enterprise, and third party solutions for in-vehicle infotainment systems,
- Enhanced Third-Party Interoperability: We’ve made further investments in how the GAS software components interoperate with certain third-party applications and services.
- Updated Contact Terms: We removed certain contractual provisions from related licensing agreements.
Google’s platforms and services have always offered developers, carmakers and consumers innovation and choice and we continue to take our commitment to the automotive industry seriously at Google.
For full details on the decision, please refer to the FCO’s official communications:
OEMs and Suppliers suspecting non-compliance with the terms outlined in the FCO decision (B7-25/22 Google Automotive Services) may submit a written complaint to the Trustee appointed to monitor Google’s execution of the decision, setting out the relevant facts and, if available, attaching the relevant supporting evidence and documentation. The Trustee can be reached at:
Wolfgang Nothhelfer, Partner
NOCON Nothhelfer Consulting Partnerschaft Diplom-Volkswirte
Uhlandstraße 162
10719 Berlin, Germany
Email: (gas@noconpartners.eu)
Important Note
Please note that the Trustee is only competent for complaints within the scope of the FCO matter B7-25/22 Google Automotive Services and cannot progress any complaints unrelated to that proceeding.