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EU Court Advisor Backs €4.12 Billion Fine Against Google Over Android Practices

By  |  June 19, 2025

A top legal advisor to the European Union’s highest court has recommended that Google’s appeal against a multibillion-euro fine be rejected, reinforcing a previous ruling that penalized the tech giant for abusing its dominance in the mobile operating system market.

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    According to Euractiv, Advocate General Juliane Kokott advised the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) on Thursday to uphold the General Court’s 2022 judgment, which found that Google had violated EU antitrust rules by placing unlawful restrictions on Android device manufacturers and mobile network operators. The original fine, issued by the European Commission in 2018, was €4.343 billion but was later adjusted to €4.12 billion by the lower court.

    Kokott’s Opinion supports the General Court’s findings and rejects Google’s arguments that the ruling should be overturned. Per Euractiv, she stated that Google’s legal reasoning was insufficient to challenge the earlier decision, and affirmed that the recalculated penalty had been properly determined. She further emphasized that the General Court’s judgment is not subject to appeal before the CJEU.

    Related: Justice Department Scrutinizes Google’s $32 Billion Bid for Cybersecurity Firm Wiz

    While Kokott’s recommendation is not binding, it carries significant weight in EU legal proceedings, as the CJEU often aligns with the views of its Advocates General. A final decision from the court is expected within the coming months.

    The case centers on the allegation that Google leveraged its control over Android to solidify its search engine’s market position, an approach the Commission deemed to be in breach of fair competition standards. Google has argued that its model fosters innovation and competition.

    Reacting to the Advocate General’s opinion, a Google spokesperson expressed disappointment, warning that if the court follows Kokott’s advice, it “would discourage investment in open platforms” and potentially harm Android users, partners, and developers.

    Source: Euractiv