EU Top Court Upholds Record €4.125 Billion Fine Against Google

The European Union's highest court has upheld a record €4.125 billion fine against Google for abusing its dominant position with its Android operating system, marking the final chapter in a decade-long antitrust battle Source: portafolioco, lavanguardia. The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) dismissed Google's appeal, confirming the penalty initially imposed by the European Commission in 2018 and later reduced by the EU General Court.

The Practices

The Commission found that Google imposed illegal restrictions on phone manufacturers to cement the dominance of its search engine and Chrome browser. Key practices included:

• Pre-installation requirements: Manufacturers had to pre-install Google Search and Chrome to get a license for the Play Store Source: elconfidencial.
• Anti-fragmentation agreements: Google prevented manufacturers from selling devices with alternative, unapproved versions of Android Source: infobae.
• Revenue-sharing deals: Some manufacturers received a share of ad revenue in exchange for exclusive pre-installation of Google's search Source: listindiario.

The Ruling

The CJEU upheld the General Court's 2022 decision that these practices harmed competition. Notably, the court ruled that in digital markets, it is not necessary to prove that the practices could exclude "as efficient" competitors; it is enough to show they restrict competition and raise barriers to entry Source: elconfidencial. The court also confirmed Alphabet's joint liability for €1.52 billion of the fine Source: infobae.

Google had argued that its actions promoted innovation and that Android remained open Source: portafolioco. However, the court rejected these justifications. The fine remains the largest ever imposed by the EU in an antitrust case Source: elespanol.

Disagreement among sources: Some outlets, like euronewses, initially reported the fine as €4.1 billion, while others consistently cite €4.125 billion. The variation stems from the 2022 reduction; the final confirmed amount is €4.125 billion.