Alphabet Inc
The European Union regulator penalized Google by 4.34 billion euros ($4.55 billion) in 2018 for allegedly exploiting its influence to drive traffic from Android devices to Google's search engine, the Wall Street Journal reports.
Google's lawyers reasoned that the commission made mistakes in its ruling as users preferred using Google's search engine and Chrome browser.
The company said Android competes with Apple Inc's
Google has faced nearly 8.25 billion euros of EU antitrust penalties in the last ten years. However, it failed to reverse a 2.4 billion euro EU penalty in 2024 for its search result disparities with rivals.
The company also previously lost a battle at the European Union General Court to cancel the Android fine. Still, it persuaded judges to lower the figure to around 4.13 billion euros from 4.34 billion euros.
Google held $93.23 billion in cash and equivalents as of Sept. 30.
In 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) urged Google to divest its Chrome browser to restore competition in the search market.
Perplexity AI chief Aravind Srinivas speculated acquiring the Chrome browser, suggesting its potential value could reach $20 billion.
Price Action: GOOGL stock is up 0.43% at $192.64 premarket at last check Tuesday.