On Friday, Europe's top court ruled that Google must pay a €4.1 billion fine for using its Android operating system to block competitors. This decision follows a previous €4.3 billion fine imposed by the European Commission in 2018, which was later reduced in 2022. Google's appeal against this ruling has been dismissed, marking a significant blow to the tech giant.
Details of the Ruling Against Google
The fine represents the largest penalty ever imposed by the European Commission on Google. According to the court, Google engaged in illegal practices by forcing manufacturers to pre-install its Google Search app and Chrome browser as a condition to access the Play Store.
Additionally, Google allegedly made payments to manufacturers and mobile operators to exclusively pre-install its apps, while threatening to refuse permission for manufacturers to install alternative versions of Android.
Google's Response to the Fine
A spokesperson for Google stated that the judgment “fails to recognise” the company's “significant investment” in keeping Android open and free. They emphasized that Google has adapted its agreements to comply with the initial 2018 decision and remains committed to innovation.
Google's CEO, Sundar Pichai, previously expressed that the decision “rejects the business model that supports Android, which has created more choice for everyone, not less.”
Previous Fines and Legal Challenges
This ruling is not an isolated event. In September 2024, the European Commission ordered Google to pay a €2.4 billion fine for abusing its market dominance in the shopping comparison sector. In September 2025, another fine of €2.95 billion was issued for favoring its products in online advertising.
Interestingly, while the €4.1 billion fine is substantial, it is not the largest ever imposed on Google. In October 2024, a Russian court fined the company two undecillion roubles for restricting state media channels on YouTube, a penalty surpassing the world’s total GDP.
- €4.1 billion fine issued by the European Commission
- Originally €4.3 billion fine in 2018
- Previous fines: €2.4 billion in September 2024 and €2.95 billion in September 2025
- Russian court fine: two undecillion roubles
🤖 This article was rewritten by Feed and Figures' editorial AI from a report originally published by BBC Technology. Facts and quotes are preserved from the original; the rewrite focuses on clarity and structure. For the unedited original, see the source link below.
