Eu fines google 5 billion for breaching competition rules
You're referring to the European Union's (EU) antitrust fine imposed on Google in 2017!
Yes, on June 27, 2017, the European Commission (EC) fined Google €4.34 billion (approximately $5 billion USD) for breaching EU antitrust rules. The fine was the largest ever imposed by the EC at the time.
The EC's investigation found that Google had abused its dominant position in the market for general internet search services by imposing restrictions on Android device manufacturers and mobile network operators to cement its dominance in the market.
Specifically, the EC alleged that Google:
- Required Android device manufacturers to pre-install Google's search engine and browser on their devices, and to set Google as the default search engine and browser.
- Paid Android device manufacturers and mobile network operators to exclusively pre-install Google's search engine and browser on their devices.
- Prevented manufacturers from selling devices running on alternative versions of the Android operating system.
The EC concluded that these practices had the effect of stifling competition and innovation in the market, and that Google had breached EU antitrust rules by abusing its dominant position.
Google appealed the fine, but in October 2019, the General Court of the European Union upheld the fine, ruling that Google had indeed breached EU antitrust rules. Google has since appealed the decision to the European Court of Justice.
This case highlights the importance of maintaining a competitive and innovative digital market, and the need for companies like Google to respect EU antitrust rules and ensure fair competition.