Google has lost its legal battle against a record fine imposed by EU antitrust regulators eight years ago for using its Android mobile operating system to block competitors,
The European Commission initially imposed a €4.34 billion fine on Google in 2018 for its agreements that forced phone manufacturers to pre-install Google Search, the Chrome browser, and the Google Play app store on their Android devices. These agreements also prevented them from using competing Android systems.
In 2022, a lower tribunal reduced the fine to €4.1 billion after Google contested the EU penalty. Google then appealed to the Court of Justice of the European Union, Europe’s highest court. The court upheld the EU antitrust authority’s decision.
“The appeal brought by Google and its parent company Alphabet against the judgment of the General Court is dismissed, thereby confirming the penalty imposed for Google Search’s abuse of a dominant position in the context of the Android operating system,” judges said.
Following Thurdsay’s ruling, a Google spokesperson stated that the judgment did not consider its investment to keep Android open, interoperable, and free. “In any event, we adapted our agreements to comply with the initial decision back in 2018 and we remain focused on continued innovation and openness for our users, partners and developers.”
Google has accumulated nearly €11 billion in EU fines over the past decades for various antitrust violations.
By CEO NA Editorial Staff
