Swiss regulator opens probe of Google Android search choice

Switzerland's Competition Commission (COMCO) has opened a preliminary investigation into Google over its removal of a feature that allowed users to select a default search engine when setting up new Android devices. The probe, launched on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, centers on the tech giant's decision to withdraw the "Choice Screen" prompt exclusively in Switzerland while leaving it active in other European countries.

The Choice Screen feature appears during the initial configuration of a new Android phone, presenting users with a list of search engines to choose as their default. According to the regulator, Google recently removed this screen for Swiss users, meaning Google Search is now automatically set as the default without presenting an alternative. Users can still change the default search engine later, but the process requires navigating through multiple settings screens after the device setup is complete.

In a statement, COMCO argued that default settings play a decisive role in digital markets and that removing the choice screen limits the visibility of competing search engines at the critical moment of device setup. This new practice by Google could affect the ability of...