The European Commission has opened a formal investigation procedure against Corning. The glass manufacturer allegedly violated competition rules with its Gorilla Glass, which is found on almost all high-end smartphones.
The investigation focuses specifically on the Gorilla Glass product, the alkaline aluminosilicate glass that equips many smartphones. This glass is used in particular to protect a large part of Samsung and Apple phones, among others.
The EU now fears that this popularity of glass can be explained by possible anti-competitive agreements. “Our investigation aims to determine whether Corning, a large producer of this special glass, attempted to oust rival glass producers, thereby depriving consumers of cheaper, more breakage-resistant glass,” said Margrethe Vestager , current European Commissioner in charge of Competition.
In particular, it will examine the contracts that Corning has negotiated with smartphone manufacturers and raw glass manufacturers. Corning, for its part, claims to follow the rules. “We will work with the authorities to ensure transparent discussion and cooperation,” a company spokesperson said in a statement published on technology site The Verge.
