The Rivalry: European Union vs. Google
Since 2010, the European Union has launched three separate antitrust investigations into Google for violating the EU’s competition laws due to its dominant position in the market and Google fined in Europe. To date, Google has been found guilty for violation of antitrust laws. In the cases related to Google AdSense and Android fined over €8 billion.
In addition, the European Union has also launched a full investigation of Google’s proposed acquisition of the fitness tracker and wearable health company Fitbit, under the EU Merger Regulation.
The Final Verdict
EU regulators fined Google a record 2.4 billion euros ($2.7 billion) on 27th September 2020, ruling that the search-engine giant violated antitrust rules for its online shopping practices.
Reason for fining
Google has abused its dominance as a search engine by giving illegal advantages to another Google product. As its shopping comparison service as claimed by Commissioner, Margrethe Vestager, in a press conference.
The primary target of the case is Google Shopping, a price-comparison feature built into the company’s search engine. The commission’s antitrust filing states that Google showed user results from Google Shopping “irrespective of their merits,” depriving rival price comparison sites of traffic.
Counter Appeal
Google said it will consider appealing the decision to the European Court of Justice. Which will be its final hope of undoing the charges.
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