Google Fails to Overturn €2.4 Billion EU Antitrust Fine in Court
Google lost its appeal against a €2.4 billion antitrust fine by the European Union for promoting its shopping service over competitors. The EU's highest court upheld the 2017 fine.
The European Court of Justice confirmed that Google unfairly promoted its own shopping service in search rankings, which violated EU competition laws.
Google's manipulation of search results to prioritize its shopping service hindered competition, negatively affecting rivals.
The ruling supports stronger enforcement under the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA), which targets digital companies acting as "gatekeepers."
Despite Google's adjustments since 2017, it faces continued scrutiny under the DMA for potential violations in its search and app store practices.
BEUC's Director General Agustín Reyna welcomed the ruling, emphasizing the importance of fair access to unbiased information for European consumers.
CCIA Europe stressed the need for legal certainty for companies and warned against retroactive punishment for competitive success.
Google expressed disappointment with the court's decision, claiming its 2017 changes led to billions of clicks for rivals, but competitors argue it hasn’t created a fair playing field.
The decision reinforces the EU’s regulatory approach and could prompt further actions against other major tech companies.