Google Loses Appeal Against $2.7 Billion EU Antitrust Fine

Alphabet's Google lost its appeal against a $2.7 billion fine imposed by EU antitrust regulators for anti-competitive practices involving its price comparison service. The decision, upheld by the Court of Justice of the European Union, is part of broader regulatory actions against Google's market behavior.

Alphabet's Google on Tuesday lost its fight against a 2.42 billion euro ($2.7 billion) fine levied by EU antitrust regulators seven years ago, marking one of three substantial penalties for anti-competitive practices.

The European Commission had fined the internet giant in 2017 for boosting its own price comparison service at the expense of smaller European competitors. A lower tribunal supported the EU's decision in 2021, leading Google to appeal to the Luxembourg-based Court of Justice of the European Union.

CJEU judges clarified that while EU law does not criminalize dominant market positions, it does prohibit their abusive exploitation, especially when it harms competition and consumers. Google, which has faced 8.25 billion euros in antitrust fines over the past decade, continues to challenge other rulings related to its Android and AdSense services while fighting recent charges that may force it to divest parts of its advertising business. The case in question is C-48/22 P Google and Alphabet v Commission (Google Shopping).

(With inputs from agencies.)