European Court of Justice upholds Google’s record antitrust fine

(MENAFN) In a recent legal development, the European Court of Justice upheld a significant fine imposed on Google by the European Union. The fine, totaling 2.4 billion euros (about $2.7 billion), was originally set in 2017 after Google was found guilty of monopolizing the shopping market. The court’s decision, announced Tuesday, confirms that Google used its dominant position in search services to unfairly prioritize its own product listings at the top of search results, in violation of EU antitrust rules.

The court ruling underscores the continued scrutiny of Google’s market behavior, particularly its monopolistic practices, by the European Union. The European Commission, led by Margrethe Vestager, has been actively targeting Google’s dominance in the online advertising technology sector. There are ongoing debates about whether a winding-down of Google’s business operations may be necessary to address the overwhelming market control. The ruling is part of a broader trend of harsh legal action against large American technology companies, reminiscent of the recent case in which Apple was ordered to pay €13 billion in back taxes to Ireland.

The decision not only reaffirms the EU’s stance on anti-competitive practices, but also reflects a growing trend of regulatory action against tech giants that have come under increasing scrutiny. The ruling serves as a reminder of the EU’s commitment to enforcing antitrust rules and ensuring fair competition in the digital marketplace, which could have broader implications for how global tech companies operate in the region.

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