EU: Google faces new record fine

The EU might soon reveal a verdict in the Android case, and Google could face a second record fine. EU antitrust regulators are seeking a second opinion in the investigation into Google’s Android operating system from a panel of experts, Reuters explains. The experts are part of a so-called devil’s advocate review panel, meant to look at the Commission’s conclusions in the case in order to ensure that they are robust. The regulator is reportedly thinking about tacking on another record fine.

The EU charged Google in April 2016 with using its dominant position in the smartphone business to hinder competition. The practices that the Commission targeted include Google’s requirements from Android device makers: Google asks its partners to preinstall Google Search and Google Chrome on Android devices to be able to install the Google Play store app that users might want. Google’s contracts, the EU says, also prevent OEMs from using other versions of Android.

The European Commission concluded its investigation into Google’s search practices a few days ago, handing the California-based company a record fine of €2.4 billion(US$2.7 billion), which was more than twice as large as the fine given to Intel in a previous case. Apart from the Android probe, the EU is conducting yet another investigation on Google’s AdSense business.

Full Content: Reuters

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