Google loses final battle over $4.7 billion Android antitrust fine

If it seems like you’ve been hearing about Google’s multi-million-dollar Android fine in Europe forever, you’re not imagining it. The case dates back to 2018, has already gone through a partial reduction and has been easy to confuse with that of Google. other regulatory headaches. But now, one of the biggest fights seems to have finally run out of steam.

As reported by CNBCThe European Court of Justice dismissed Google’s appeal against a €4.1 billion ($4.67 billion) antitrust fine over its handling of Android. The court is the highest in the European Union, meaning Google no longer has the right to appeal the decision.

The case dates back to a 2018 ruling by the European Commission, which found that Google had abused Android’s mobile dominance to give its own apps an unfair advantage. The original fine was 4.34 billion euros ($4.94 billion), before a lower court reduced it to the current 4.1 billion euros ($4.67 billion) in 2022.

At the center of the case were Google’s agreements with Android phone makers. The Commission found that Google used those agreements to boost services such as Google Search and Chrome through pre-installation requirements, making it difficult for rival apps and services to compete.

Google has long maintained that Android gives users more options and helps developers and businesses. In a statement to CNBCA Google spokesperson said the latest ruling “does not recognize our significant investment in ensuring Android remains open, interoperable and free.” The company also noted that it adapted its agreements after the original 2018 decision and said it continues to focus on “continued innovation and openness” for users, partners and developers.

This ruling will not mean any significant change for Android overnight. Google has already made adjustments over the years, including giving Android users more ways to choose between search engines and browsers, rather than being so closely tied to Google’s own options. Still, the ruling closes the book on one of the most important Android antitrust cases Google has faced. the company legal headaches They apparently never completely end, but this one, at least, seems to end.