Google’s antitrust cases in Europe
BRUSSELS – Alphabet unit Google (GOOGL.O) was hit with a record-breaking 4.34 billion euro ($5.04 billion) fine on Wednesday, topping the 2.4 billion euros it was ordered to pay in another case last year.
FILE PHOTO: Silhouettes of laptop and mobile device users are seen next to a screen projection of Google logo in this picture illustration taken March 28, 2018. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
EU antitrust regulators accused it of abusing the dominance of its Android smartphone operating system by blocking rivals.
Below is a timeline of Google’s antitrust cases in Europe:
18 July 2018 – EU antitrust regulators hand down a 4.34 billion euro fine to Google after a three-year long investigation.
27 June 2017 – EU fines Google 2.4 billion euros for thwarting rivals of shopping comparison websites.
14 July 2016 – EU sets out another charge against Google’s shopping service. It also accuses the company of preventing third parties using its Adsense product from displaying search advertisements from Google’s competitors – a third case against the company.
20 April 2016 – EU sends a charge sheet to Google outlining the company’s anti-competitive practices with regard to Android smartphone makers and apps makers.
15 April 2015 – EU opens investigation into Google’s Android smartphone operating system.
15 April 2015 – EU charges Google with blocking competitors of its shopping service.
Sept 2014 – Almunia says he will not be able to wrap up the Google case before his mandate ends in October.
May 2014 – Joaquin Almunia, European Competition Commissioner at that time, says feedback from complainants will be crucial to determining whether he accepts Google’s concessions.
5 Feb 2014 – Google improves its concessions related to online search.
2013 – Lobbying group FairSearch files a complaint about Google’s Android business practices to the European Commission.
25 April 2013 – EU seeks feedback from rivals and users to Google’s concessions.
3 April 2013 – Google offers concessions related to online search and its AdSense advertising network to address EU competition concerns, without admitting wrongdoing.
30 Nov 2010 – European Commission opens investigation into allegations that Google has abused its dominant position in online searches following 18 complaints.
3 Nov 2009 – British price comparison site Foundem complains about Google’s online search to the European Commission.
Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; editing by Philip Blenkinsop and Jan Harvey
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