Google faces further legal obstacles in the EU.

On June 19, Google faced a potentially unfavorable situation when an advisor to Europe's highest court sided with the European Union's antitrust regulators.

This development comes as Google is attempting to appeal a record fine of 4.34 billion euros (equivalent to 4.98 billion USD) that it received seven years ago.

Previously, in 2018, the European Commission ruled that Google had exploited its Android operating system to hinder competitors.

In 2022, a lower court upheld the EU's conclusion but reduced the fine to 4.1 billion euros.

Unsatisfied with this ruling, Google has appealed to Europe's top court.

In her non-binding opinion, Juliane Kokott, legal counsel of the European Court of Justice (CJEU), recommended that the court reject Google's appeal and uphold the fine adjusted by the lower court.

Ms. Kokott stated that Google's legal arguments were "ineffective."

She also rejected Google's argument that regulators need to compare Google to a competitor when evaluating the case.

According to her, comparing Google to a similarly effective competitor in theory in this case is "unrealistic."

She emphasized that Google has held a dominant position in many markets within the Android ecosystem, thereby benefiting from the network effect, which helps the company ensure users will use Google Search.

Typically, judges will follow about four out of five similar non-binding opinions. The court's final ruling is expected in the next few months.

On Google's part, a company spokesperson said that Android has created more options for all users, supporting thousands of successful businesses in Europe and around the world .

This person also expressed disappointment with Ms. Kokott's opinion, arguing that the Court's acceptance of this opinion would negatively impact investments in open platforms, disadvantaging Android users, partners, and app developers.

Regulators allege that Google's violations began in 2011, when the company required manufacturers to pre-install the Google Search app, Chrome browser, and Google Play app store on their Android devices.

Google has also been accused of paying manufacturers to pre-install only Google Search and prevent them from using other competitor operating systems.

According to data from market analysis firm Statcounter, Google's Android operating system currently runs on approximately 73% of smartphones worldwide.

(VNA/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/google-doi-mat-them-tro-ngai-phap-ly-tai-eu-post1045378.vnp