The Swiss Competition Commission, known as Weko, has launched a preliminary investigation into Google following the tech giant’s sudden removal of the “Choice Screen” on Android devices in Switzerland.
For years, the initial setup of a new Android phone in Switzerland featured a selection screen. This system allowed users to pick their preferred default browser and search engine. With the removal of this screen, Google Search is now automatically configured as the default search engine for all new Swiss Android users. Ironically, the Choice Screen remains mandatory and fully functional across the neighboring countries of the European Economic Area (EEA), leading to a starkly different user experience right at the Swiss border.
Weko’s intervention highlights the immense power of default settings in the digital landscape. Tech regulators globally recognize that the vast majority of users never change pre-configured settings. By bypassing the selection screen, Google significantly reduces the visibility of competing search engines, which Weko warns could raise barriers to market entry and unfairly stifle competition.
The debate over these setups is incredibly nuanced. In the EU, digital advocacy groups have actively challenged the subtle ways platforms try to retain their market share. For example, Google recently committed to placing a user’s selected browser directly in the “hotseat” (the bottom app bar) on new Pixel devices, rather than keeping Google Chrome pinned there by default.
Weko’s current probe is a preliminary inquiry to determine whether Google’s actions violate the Swiss Cartel Act. The final findings of this investigation are expected to carry broad implications, potentially setting a precedent for how other pre-installed default services—ranging from maps to digital assistants—are managed on mobile devices in Switzerland.