Beijing time on July 18 evening news, in response to Google's Android monopoly case, the European Commission officially announced today that it imposed a fine of 4.34 billion euros (about 5.04 billion US dollars) on Google.
The high-billion-dollar fine is equivalent to the amount of budget that the Netherlands contributes to the EU each year, and is also higher than the anti-monopoly penalties issued by the anti-monopoly departments of the United States, China or other countries.
In addition to fines, the EU also gave Google 90 days to stop its 'illegal behavior' in the EU. The EU concluded in April 2016 that Google has abused its dominant position in the European mobile market, setting up for Android device manufacturers and network operators. Unfair restrictions. For example, forcing mobile phone manufacturers to pre-install Google services to keep competitors out.
EU antitrust commissioner Margrethe Vestager said in an e-mailed statement today: 'Google uses Android as a tool to strengthen its dominant position in the search market. Competitive and innovative capabilities of competitors. '
In June last year, the European Union made a ruling on the Google Shopping monopoly case, saying that Google has decided to impose a fine of 2.42 billion euros (about 2.8 billion US dollars) on Google because of its partial search for Google Shopping in its search results.
Coupled with this $5 billion fine on Android, the EU has already issued a $7.8 billion fine for Google. In addition, Google faces the third allegation of the EU, the AdWords monopoly. Currently, the EU has not yet charged the allegation. Make a fine decision.
For the EU's fine decision today, Google has said it will appeal the ruling. Google spokesman Al Verney said: 'Android provides everyone with more choices than limits their choice. The decision of the European Commission will be appealed. '