EU’s top court upholds €2.4 billion fine against Google for market abuse

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) on Tuesday upheld a €2.4 billion fine imposed on Google for abusing its dominant position in the online shopping market.

The fine, levied by the European Commission in 2017, stemmed from accusations that Google had favoured its own shopping comparison service over those of its competitors. Google had appealed the decision twice, but both appeals were unsuccessful.

The ECJ’s ruling is a significant blow to Google, which has faced increasing scrutiny from regulators around the world. In response to the original fine, Google made changes to its business practices in 2017 to comply with the EU’s decision. However, these changes have not been sufficient to satisfy regulators.

In addition to the fine, Google is facing ongoing antitrust investigations in both the EU and the US. In the EU, the company is being investigated under the Digital Markets Act, a new law designed to curb the power of large tech companies. In the US, Google is facing an antitrust lawsuit brought by the Department of Justice.

The ECJ’s decision is a clear signal that regulators are determined to hold large tech companies accountable for their anti-competitive practices. It also highlights the challenges that these companies face in navigating the complex regulatory landscape.