Google has lost its final appeal against a €4.1 billion ($4.7 billion) antitrust fine after Europe's highest court ruled that the company violated competition laws through its Android mobile operating system.
The decision by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) brings an end to a years-long legal battle between Google and European regulators over how the company used Android to strengthen the position of its own apps.
The case dates back to 2018, when the European Commission imposed what was then a record-breaking antitrust penalty.
According to the Commission, Google abused Android's dominant position in the smartphone market by requiring phone manufacturers to pre-install Google apps, such as Google Search and Chrome, on Android devices. Regulators argued that these agreements made it harder for competing apps and services to reach consumers.
Google challenged the ruling through the European court system, but the company's latest appeal has now been rejected.
In its decision, the European Court of Justice said:
"The Court of Justice dismisses the appeal brought by Google and Alphabet against that judgment of the General Court, thereby confirming the penalty imposed on them, as revised by the General Court, for their anticompetitive practices relating to the Android operating system."
Although the original fine totaled €4.34 billion, a lower European court reduced it to €4.1 billion in 2022. Thursday's ruling confirms that revised amount, making it final.
Google has consistently defended Android, arguing that the operating system increases consumer choice and supports developers and businesses worldwide.
Responding to the ruling, a Google spokesperson said:
"Android provides more choice for everyone and supports thousands of businesses. This judgment fails to recognize our significant investment to ensure Android remains open, interoperable and free."
The spokesperson added:
"In any event, we adapted our agreements to comply with the initial decision back in 2018 and we remain focused on continued innovation and openness for our users, partners and developers."
Following the Commission's original decision, Google introduced several changes across Europe. These included allowing Android users to choose their preferred search engine and web browser during device setup instead of automatically using Google's own services.
However, regulators concluded that those changes did not alter the findings of the original case.
The European Commission first launched its investigation into Google in 2015, and the Android case is just one of several major competition actions taken against the company over the past decade.
Last year, Google was also fined €2.95 billion over alleged anti-competitive practices involving its online advertising technology business.
While traditional antitrust investigations remain a priority, European regulators are increasingly relying on the Digital Markets Act (DMA) to oversee the behavior of major technology companies. Firms including Apple and Meta are also facing investigations under the new law.
The European Union's tougher approach toward large U.S. technology companies has also become a political issue.
U.S. President Donald Trump recently criticized European digital regulations and warned that countries imposing digital services taxes on American technology firms could face 100% tariffs on their exports to the United States. Several European nations, including France and Spain, currently apply digital services taxes to major technology companies.
With the latest court ruling, Google's long-running Android antitrust case has officially come to an end, leaving the company responsible for one of the largest competition fines ever imposed in Europe.
