Google will pay the European Union $4.1 billion for antitrust violations

In 2018, the European Commission fined Google €4.34 billion for agreements that forced phone makers to pre-install Google Search, the Chrome browser and the Google Play app store on Android devices and prevented them from using competing systems.

In 2022, a lower court reduced the fine to 4.1 billion euros. Google then appealed to the Luxembourg Court of Justice of the European Union, Europe’s highest court.

“The appeal brought by Google and its parent company Alphabet against the decision of the General Court is rejected, thereby upholding the fine imposed for Google Search’s abuse of a dominant position in the context of the Android operating system,” the judges said in their decision.

A Google spokesperson said the court’s decision does not take into account the company’s investment in making Android open, compatible and free.

“In any case, we have aligned our agreements with the original decision back in 2018 and remain focused on further innovation and openness for our users, partners and developers,” Google said.