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European Union: EC sanctions Google with a fine of EUR 4.34 billion for abuse of dominance regarding its search engine

Policy overview

Description

EC sanctions Google with a fine of EUR 4.34 billion for abuse of dominance regarding its search engine

On 18 July 2018, the European Commission (EC) fined Google EUR 4.34 billion for violations of EU antitrust rules by abusing its market dominance in the search engine market. Google was found to have restricted Android device manufacturers and mobile…

Scope

Policy Area
Competition
Policy Instrument
Unilateral conduct regulation
Regulated Economic Activity
search service provider
Implementation Level
supranational
Government Branch
executive
Government Body
central government

Complete timeline of this policy change

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2015-04-15
under deliberation

On 15 April 2015, the European Commission (EC) opened a formal investigation into Google for possib…

2016-04-20
under deliberation

On 20 April 2016, the European Commission (EC) published its statement of objections as part of its…

2018-07-18
in force

On 18 July 2018, the European Commission (EC) fined Google EUR 4.34 billion for violations of EU an…

2018-10-09
under appeal

On 9 October 2018, Google appealed the EUR 4.34 billion fine it was handed by the European Commissi…

2022-09-14
in force

On 14 September 2022, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) largely confirmed the EU Commission's (EC…

2025-06-19
under deliberation

On 19 June 2025, the Advocate General adopted an opinion in case C-738/22 P, proposing that the Eur…