EU slams Google with $5bn fine for breaching competitive rules

The European Union has slapped search engine giants Google with a $5 billion fine for breaching competitive rules.

According to the EU anti-trust chief, the US tech giant reportedly forced major phone makers to pre-install its search engine and browser.

Reports say Google used its Android smartphone system to illegally boost its search engine – the biggest anti-trust penalty in EU history.

Read also: Facebook accused of protecting far-right activists

Google however immediately said it would appeal the massive fine.

Margrethe Vestager, the EU’s competition commissioner, announced the stiff penalty on Wednesday saying the US tech giant forced – and in some cases paid – major phone makers to pre-install its search engine and Google Chrome browser.

The company also limited the ability of manufacturers to sell phones running alternative versions of Android.

“Google has used Android as a vehicle to cement the dominance of its search engine,” Vestager said in a statement. “This is illegal under EU anti-trust rules.”

 

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