EU rules over €2.4 billion in fines against Google

Recently, Google is facing antitrust lawsuits in several countries, including the United States and France. In the midst of this, the EU Court of First Instance has ruled in 2017 that the European Commission has imposed a €2.42 billion fine against Google for violating antitrust laws.

Google offers Google Shopping, a product search service, but as of 2017, Google Shopping search results appear at the top of general Google search results, while other shopping sites appear at the bottom of the search results list. For this Google feature, the European Commission imposed a €2.42 billion fine against Google, stating that it is not allowed for Google, which boasts an overwhelming share in search services, to actively infringe on its competitors.

Google filed a lawsuit against the European Commission’s sanctions in the EU Court of First Instance. On November 10, 2021, the Court of First Instance issued a ruling granting the European Commission sanctions against this lawsuit. In a statement, the court of first instance records that Google determines that its shopping service is prioritized and favored on the search results page, while algorithmically downgrading the search results of competing services. point out that At the beginning of the statement, it is written that the court of first instance supports a €2.42 billion fine against Google.

In response to the ruling, the EU side said the ruling provides the market with a legally clear message that Google actions are illegal, adding that the EU will continue to use all means to address the role of large-scale digital platforms that businesses and users rely on to access digital services. .

Google, on the other hand, said the change was made in 2017 to comply with a European Commission decision, saying that product advertising has always helped users find the product they’re looking for quickly and easily and has helped sellers reach potential customers. Google is also said to be able to appeal to the European Court of Justice, which is equivalent to the Supreme Court.

In addition, the European Commission is starting an investigation into the possibility that Google’s online advertisement serving technology may be subject to antitrust violations in June 2021. In addition, Google is facing antitrust litigation in various parts of the world, including the United States and China, so its future trends are paying attention. Related information can be found here.