Google Fined Record $2.7 Billion in E.U. Antitrust Ruling
By levying the fine against Google — more than double the previous largest penalty in this type of antitrust case — Margrethe Vestager, the European Union’s
antitrust chief, also laid claim to being the Western world’s most active regulator of digital services, an industry still dominated by Silicon Valley.
“We will review the commission’s decision in detail as we consider an appeal, and we look forward to continuing to make our case.”
Despite Google’s denials, the record fine — the previous high, against Intel in 2009, was €1.06 billion — represents a bloody nose for a company
that holds a market share of more than 90 percent in online search in Europe.
“It’s always been like that.”
In her statement on Tuesday, Ms. Vestager said that Google held a dominant position in online search, requiring the company to take extra measures to ensure
that its digital services did not crowd out those of rivals.
By MARK SCOTTJUNE 27, 2017
Google suffered a major blow on Tuesday after European antitrust officials fined the search giant
a record $2.7 billion for unfairly favoring some of its own services over those of rivals.
Several other antitrust complaints related to other specialized search results have been filed in Europe against Google,
and Ms. Vestager said Tuesday’s announcement could “be used as a framework” in those investigations.