Switzerland’s competition regulator has opened a preliminary investigation into the decision made by Google to remove its Android search choice screen, a feature that allowed users to select their preferred search engine during device setup.
The Swiss Competition Commission (COMCO) said the removal means Google Search now appears as the default option for users setting up new Android phones in the country. The regulator is examining whether the move could limit competition in the digital market.
Google removed the Choice Screen in Switzerland in 2026, although the feature is still available in countries across the European Economic Area (EEA).
The difference has prompted discussions over whether Swiss users have fewer options compared with users in neighbouring European markets.
Introduced in 2019 after European Union antitrust action, the Choice Screen was designed to give Android users better management over their default search engine. It allowed them to choose alternatives during the initial setup of a new device instead of automatically using Google Search.
COMCO said default settings can strongly influence user behaviour because many people keep the option already selected on their devices. The regulator warned that removing the choice screen could reduce the visibility of competing search providers.
“This new practice by Google could affect the ability of search engine providers and, more broadly, other digital service providers to compete,” COMCO said.
The regulator added that the change could also create unequal treatment between Swiss users and those in the European Economic Area.
Google confirmed it was aware of the investigation and said it would work with the authority. “We look forward to cooperating fully with the authority to address their questions,” a spokesperson said.
COMCO’s investigation will determine whether Google’s action breaches Switzerland’s Cartel Act, which governs anti-competitive practices.
Google is still the dominant search provider in Switzerland, controlling about 82% of the country’s search market, according to Statcounter. Regulators are concerned that default placements on mobile devices can make it harder for competitors, including other search engines, to reach users.
In the European Union, Google agreed to keep the Choice Screen after facing several antitrust penalties totalling more than €8 billion since 2017. The feature continues to appear on Android devices across the EEA, creating a different experience for users outside Switzerland.
The Swiss investigation will now examine whether Google’s decision affects competition and consumer choice in the country’s digital market.
