Google has been hitting alongside a record-breaking $2.7 billion (€2.42 billion) fine yesteryear the European antitrust officials for unfairly manipulating search results since 2008.
After a lengthy seven-year investigation that was launched inwards 2010 subsequently several rivals complaint, the European Commission on Tuesday imposed this 'biggest fifty-fifty fiscal penalty' against the meshing tech giant for breaking European Union contest law.
yesteryear using its search potency to distort search-engine results to promote ain shopping comparing service at the hap of all search results.
"Comparison shopping services rely to a large extent on traffic to endure competitive." European Commission says inwards a press release.
"The show shows that consumers click far to a greater extent than oftentimes on results that are to a greater extent than visible, i.e. the results appearing above inwards Google's search results. More traffic leads to to a greater extent than clicks too generates revenue."The Commission says the amount of penalization has been calculated from Google’s income from its comparing shopping service inwards Europe. Google’s total revenue inwards the twelvemonth 2016 was well-nigh $90 Billion.
Apart from the fine, the Commission has ordered Google to "stop its illegal conduct" too anti-competitive practices inside the 3-month deadline or warned to confront a farther penalization of upward to 5% of the average daily worldwide turnover of the Alphabet, Google's raise company."
So similar a shot Google volition convey to alter its search ranking algorithm. However, the fellowship tin every bit good appeal this determination inwards in European Union courts to delay the resolution for years.
"We respectfully disagree alongside the conclusions announced today. We volition review the Commission’s determination inwards item every bit nosotros visit an appeal, too nosotros await forwards to continuing to brand our case." Google Spokesperson said inwards a statement.
Moreover, Google is currently facing 2 other ongoing European Union antitrust investigations.
One says Google Android unfairly forcefulness electrochemical cell manufacturers to preinstall Google services to promote its products over rivals. Another investigation targets its AdSense business.
The previous biggest antitrust fine was against US of America chipmaker Intel inwards 2009, which was €1 billion.
