Google loses appeal in $4 billion European court battle over Android dominance

• Google has lost its appeal against a landmark $4 billion antitrust fine in Europe.
• The European Commission issued the fine in 2018 over the dominance of Android.

Google will be forced to pay more than $4 billion to the European Union, after judges rejected the firm's appeal against a landmark 2018 antitrust fine.

The tech giant was fined by Europe's competition watchdog for abusing its dominant Android mobile operating system to cement the popularity of Google apps and services.

The EU has fined the tech giant over claims of anticompetitive behavior — involving search, shopping, and Android — three times in three years: first for $2.8 billion in 2017, again for $5 billion in 2018, and once more for $1.7 billion in 2019.

Complimentary Tech Event

Transform talent with learning that works

Capability development is critical for businesses who want to push the envelope of innovation.Discover how business leaders are strategizing around building talent capabilities and empowering employee transformation.Know More

Today's decision from the European Court of Justice comes almost a year after the company lost another appeal against the $2.8 billion EU fine, under which Google was found to have promoted its own shopping service in its search results over competitors.

"The General Court largely confirms the Commission's decision that Google imposed unlawful restrictions on manufacturers of Android mobile devices and mobile network operators in order to consolidate the dominant position of its search engine," the court said.

The company did win a 5% reduction in the fine as a result of its appeal, but it remains the biggest antitrust fine given by Europe's competition regulator against a single firm – cementing the reputation of the European Union's competition commissioner, Margrethe Vestager, as Silicon Valley's policewoman.

Are you a current or former Google employee? Got a tip?

Contact Martin Coulter via email at mcoulter@insider.com or via encrypted messaging app Signal at +447801985586. Reach out using a non-work device.