The European Union imposed a fine of $5 billion against Google on Wednesday for forcing smartphone makers to install their apps on Android-run devices. As the EU Competition Commissioner stated, this kept users from choosing which apps they wanted
Google’s Actions and the Ruling
Google stipulated that phone makers who wanted to use the Google app store on their devices also had to install Google Search and the Chrome browser app. The company also paid phone makers to install Google Search as the only option on their devices.
Margrethe Vestager, the EU competition commissioner, said that both of these actions are against EU rules. She said that companies need to stand on their merits, not by restricting competition.
The $5 billion fine is the largest the commission has ever imposed on a single company. Vestager, however, said that the fine is not unreasonable considering Google’s resources and income. Alphabet, the company that owns Google, earned $31.15 billion in the first quarter of 2018.
