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4,340 million euros: the EU pledges billions of sanctions against Google
BRSSEL. Google has abused its market power at the European Commission and must pay a record fine
European Commissioner for Competition Margrethe Vestager Image: REUTERS
and the United States is not big enough, the European Commission yesterday, Wednesday, another billion fine on the US Internet giant Google. Due to the abuse of its dominant position with the Android smartphone operating system claims the EU's competition of 4.34 billion euros. This is the highest sentence ever imposed for competition-related offenses. The former fine of 2.4 billion euros had been fined a year ago, also against Google for market abuse in price comparisons with Google Shopping
The Commissioner for the Competition Margrethe Vestager reviews the date of the decision. Claude Juncker in Washington – not unfavorable. In the political context, there is "never the right moment". In an increasingly uncertain world, it's good "when we do predictable things: if you break the rules, there's a penalty, and the illegal behavior has to stop." That's not surprising, "he said. she said. From the commission's point of view, Google "like everyone must abide by the rules."
The European Commission accuses the group of having imposed "illegal restrictions since 2011 on smartphone and tablet manufacturers as well as on mobile operators". Among other things, manufacturers who use the Google Android operating system free, always bring a full set of apps on devices, especially the Google Chrome browser and the Google search engine. The big manufacturers have even gotten money for the exclusive pre-installation of these central applications, as mobile phone users are almost never looking for alternatives. All of this has hampered competitors and developers and limited consumer choice, said the commissioner.
80% of market share
Google took Android 2005 and developed it further. Today, about 80% of all mobile devices run on Android. The Google search engine, which was used verbally today, already held a 95% market share on these devices in 2016. The only other relevant mobile operating system is the platform. Apple's iOS.
The Internet giant has 90 days to close the practice, or face another five percent penalty of global average daily income. The 4.34 trillion euros are not the maximum penalty, but measured in terms of sales "in the context of what we usually charge in. Maybe a little in the end, but not spectacular in terms of. "
Market watchers see the sum facing more than 100 billion cash reserves in Google's mother alphabet not a problem, but the potential consequences of the decision. Whatever it is, Google wants to appeal the fine record, said a spokesman. Android has created "more choice for everyone, not less".
It can go a good year and a half to see how the case is unfolding in front of the EU judicial system. After the first instance decision, an appeal to the European Court of Justice (ECJ) would be possible. In the meantime, Google must transfer the money to a blocked account.
The highest antitrust fines of the European Commission
The European Commission has condemned Google for abuse of power in the market. However, there were already high antitrust fines:
Truck Cartel: In 2008, companies like Daimler and Scania had to pay 3.8 billion euros.
Bildrhren-Kartell: In 2012 she caught the TV provider Philips and LG for collusion. Punishment: 1.4 billion euros
Scandal Libor: Deutsche Bank, Societe Generale, RBS and Barclays had to pay 1.3 billion euros in 2013 for interest rate agreements in euros.
Glbad Cartel: In 2008, there was a conviction against Saint-Gobain and Pilkington. Penalty: 1.1 billion euros
Wlzlager-Kartell: As a result of collusion, Schaeffler and SKF were fined 953 million euros in 2014.
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