Overview

• Advocate General Juliane Kokott recommended that the Court reject Google’s appeal and maintained the General Court’s decision to trim the 2018 fine from €4.34 billion to €4.125 billion.
• Her opinion supports the Commission’s finding that Google abused its position by pre-installing its search app and Chrome browser and preventing manufacturers from using modified Android versions.
• Though advisory, her views carry significant weight with the Court of Justice and the judges often adopt advocates general’s recommendations in their rulings.
• Google contends that its Android policies benefit users and developers and warns that upholding the opinion would deter investment in open digital platforms.
• The final ruling, expected later this year, could influence the enforcement of the EU’s antitrust rules and the new Digital Markets Act against big tech companies.