Overview
- The Court of Justice of the European Union rejected Google’s final appeal and made the €4.125 billion fine from the EU competition case legally final.
- Brussels’ case found Google had tied key services to Android by conditioning access to the Play Store on pre-installing Google Search and Chrome and by restricting use of unapproved Android versions.
- The fine stems from a 2018 Commission decision that the General Court largely upheld in 2022 while trimming the penalty slightly from €4.343 billion to €4.125 billion.
- Google said it was disappointed the ruling was not overturned and defended Android as promoting choice and supporting businesses, while EU authorities and commentators say the verdict strengthens antitrust enforcement for big tech.
- The decade-long dispute began in 2015 and its closure signals regulators and device makers will face clearer rules on how dominant platform owners may package software, licensing and commercial deals.