Google has appealed to the European Union’s highest court, seeking to overturn a €4.3 billion ($4.5 billion) antitrust fine imposed in 2018. The fine, which was reduced to €4.1 billion by a lower tribunal in 2021, was levied against the company for allegedly using its Android mobile operating system to stifle competition. Google argues that the decision unfairly penalises its innovation and success.
The case centres on allegations by EU regulators that Google required phone manufacturers to pre-install Google Search, Chrome, and the Play Store on Android devices while preventing them from using rival Android systems. The European Commission argued that these agreements restricted competition, but Google contends that they fostered it.
Google’s lawyer, Alfonso Lamadrid, told the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) that the European Commission failed in its responsibility to fairly investigate the company’s practices. Lamadrid emphasised that the agreements did not harm competition but instead enhanced it by making Android devices more attractive to consumers. He further argued that the fine punishes Google for its innovation and market success, asserting that the company has not shied away from its legal responsibilities.
The case is seen as a significant test of EU regulatory power over big tech companies. A ruling from the Luxembourg-based CJEU, expected in the coming months, will be final and unappealable. Beyond this case, Google remains under scrutiny in Europe, with regulators currently investigating its advertising technology business.
The outcome of this legal challenge could have major implications for the global tech industry. If the court rules in Google’s favour, it may signal a need for the EU to reassess its approach to regulating large technology firms. Conversely, upholding the fine could bolster the bloc’s regulatory authority and pave the way for stricter enforcement of competition laws.
