Google Fights Record EU Android Fine, Claims Users Choose Services Over Rivals

Alphabet Inc GOOG GOOGL Google is contesting the European Commission in Luxembourg against the record European Union antitrust fine over its Android operating system.

The European Union regulator penalized Google by 4.34 billion euros ($4.55 billion) in 2018 for allegedly exploiting its influence to drive traffic from Android devices to Google’s search engine, the Wall Street Journal reports.

Google’s lawyers reasoned that the commission made mistakes in its ruling as users preferred using Google’s search engine and Chrome browser.

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The company said Android competes with Apple Inc’s AAPL iOS operating system and offers people plenty of choices. Apple is trying to defend its billion-dollar revenue-sharing agreements with Google, which helped the latter earn $20 billion in 2022.

Google has faced nearly 8.25 billion euros of EU antitrust penalties in the last ten years. However, it failed to reverse a 2.4 billion euro EU penalty in 2024 for its search result disparities with rivals.

The company also previously lost a battle at the European Union General Court to cancel the Android fine. Still, it persuaded judges to lower the figure to around 4.13 billion euros from 4.34 billion euros.

Google held $93.23 billion in cash and equivalents as of Sept. 30.

In 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) urged Google to divest its Chrome browser to restore competition in the search market.

Perplexity AI chief Aravind Srinivas speculated acquiring the Chrome browser, suggesting its potential value could reach $20 billion.

Price Action: GOOGL stock is up 0.43% at $192.64 premarket at last check Tuesday.

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