On July 18, 2018, the European Commission announced that it had fined Google €4.3 billion for violating EU competition rules. The fine was imposed after an investigation revealed that Google had abused its dominance in the smartphone market by requiring phone manufacturers to preinstall its apps on Android phones.
The European Commission found that Google required manufacturers to preinstall its search engine and browser apps in order to gain access to its Play Store, which is essential for distributing apps on Android phones. The Commission also found that Google paid manufacturers and mobile network operators to exclusively preinstall Google search on their devices.
This practice was deemed to be anti-competitive, as it prevented other search engines and browsers from competing on a level playing field. The Commission also found that Google’s actions had hindered innovation in the market, as competitors were unable to develop new and innovative products.
The €4.3 billion fine is the largest ever imposed by the European Union on a company for violating competition rules. It follows a previous €2.4 billion fine that was imposed on Google in 2017 for promoting its own shopping comparison service over those of its rivals.
Google has denied the allegations and has announced its intention to appeal the decision. The company has argued that the preinstallation of its apps is necessary to ensure a consistent and high-quality user experience on Android devices.
The decision has been widely welcomed by competitors of Google, who argue that the company has abused its market power to stifle competition and innovation. The fine is also seen as a signal to other tech giants that the European Union is serious about enforcing its competition rules.
In conclusion, the European Union’s decision to fine Google €4.3 billion for violating competition rules is a significant development in the ongoing battle between tech giants and regulators. It is a reminder that no company is above the law and that anti-competitive practices will not be tolerated. The decision is likely to have far-reaching consequences for the smartphone market and the wider tech industry, as companies will need to ensure that they are complying with EU competition rules if they want to avoid similar fines in the future.
