Technology
Google to Pay $4 Billion Fine to EU as Appeal Court Upholds Fine
Google has lost its appeal over the European Union’s (EU) $4 billion Anti-trust fine
American multinational technology company, Google has lost its appeal over the European Union’s (EU) $4 billion Anti-trust fine.
The European Court Of Justice General Court recently rejected the company’s appeal for stifling competition and reducing consumer choice through the dominance of its mobile Android operating system.
The EU in its verdict claimed that Google went against the EU rules by compelling smartphone manufacturers to offer a bundle of pre-installed Google apps, which includes Gmail, Maps, YouTube, Google Search, and Chrome in its Play Store.
It was also discovered that Google prevented the sale of altered versions of the operating system.
In a statement, the EU’s General Court disclosed that it confirms the European Union’s decision that Google imposed unlawful restrictions on manufacturers of Android mobile devices in order to benefit its search engine.
The court, however, stated that the fine should be slightly reduced to 4.125 billion euros ($4.1 billion), instead of the 4.3 billion euros decided by the commission in 2018.
Following the decision of the court, Google responded via a statement, saying “We are disappointed that the Court did not annul the decision in full,” Google said in a statement.
“Android has created more choice for everyone, not less, and supports thousands of successful businesses in Europe and around the world.”
The search engine giant insisted that downloading rival apps was only a click away, stating that customers were not in any way restricted to Google products alone on Android.
The company also pushed the case that the EU was unfairly blind to the strength of Apple, which imposes or gives clear preference to its services such as Safari on iPhones.
Following the EU’s decision, complainants responded by saying “This shows the European Commission got it right,” said Thomas Vinje, a lawyer representing FairSearch, whose original complaint launched the case in 2013.
“Google can no longer impose its will on phone makers. Now they may open their devices to competition in search and other services, allowing consumers to benefit from increased choice,” he added.