In a significant ruling, Europe’s highest court has mandated that Google pay a hefty fine of €4.1 billion (£3.5 billion) for its practices related to the Android mobile operating system, which were deemed to stifle competition among rivals.
The European Commission initially imposed a fine of €4.3 billion (approximately £3.9 billion) back in 2018, a decision that was later adjusted to €4.1 billion in 2022. Following an appeal from the tech giant, the court has now upheld the revised penalty, marking it as the largest fine ever levied against Google by the Commission.
A spokesperson for Google expressed disappointment with the ruling, stating that it “fails to recognise” the company’s “significant investment to ensure Android remains open, interoperable and free.” They further noted that Google has already modified its agreements to align with the initial 2018 decision and emphasized their commitment to fostering innovation and openness for users, partners, and developers alike.
Background of the Case
The original fine stemmed from allegations that Google had engaged in three specific illegal practices. Notably, it was acknowledged that Google’s version of Android does not inhibit device owners from downloading alternative web browsers or utilizing other search engines. In response to the initial fine, Google’s CEO, Sundar Pichai, articulated that the decision “rejects the business model that supports Android, which has created more choice for everyone, not less.”
This ruling is not an isolated incident; it follows a series of actions taken by the European Commission against Google and its parent company, Alphabet. In September 2024, the Commission ruled that Google must pay a €2.4 billion (£2 billion) fine for abusing its market dominance through its shopping-comparison service. The following year, in September 2025, another fine of €2.95 billion (£2.5 billion) was imposed for breaching competition laws by favoring its own products in online advertising, disadvantaging competitors.
Interestingly, while this fine is substantial, it is not the largest ever imposed on Google. In October 2024, a Russian court charged the company with restricting Russian state media channels on YouTube, resulting in a staggering fine of two undecillion roubles—an amount surpassing the total GDP of the world.
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