Google loses appeal against EU’s $2.7B Shopping antitrust case, as bloc also wins $15B Apple state aid appeal

Sep 10, 2024

Google's appeal against a $2.7B EU fine fails, as does Apple's $15B tax aid appeal, with significant implications for Big Tech regulation.

Google loses appeal against EU’s $2.7B Shopping antitrust case, as bloc also wins $15B Apple state aid appeal

: Google lost its appeal against a €2.42 billion EU antitrust decision for self-preferencing its shopping service. The EU's Court of Justice upheld the decision, and Google's challenge may be nearing its end. Similarly, Apple and Ireland's appeal against a $15B tax bill was overturned, confirming illegal tax breaks. EU Commission's Margrethe Vestager emphasized the significance of these rulings for Big Tech regulation.

Google's latest appeal against the €2.42 billion fine imposed by the European Commission in 2017 was dismissed by the Court of Justice of the EU. The court upheld previous rulings that Google's self-preferencing of its shopping service in search results was anti-competitive, harming rival services and affirming the Commission’s penalty.

At a press conference, EU competition chief Margrethe Vestager highlighted the landmark nature of the case against Google, asserting it heralded a pivotal shift in digital regulation. Vestager committed to upholding the principles established by these rulings to benefit European consumers and cautioned dominant firms against leveraging market power unfairly.

In parallel, the CJEU also ruled in favor of the Commission regarding a $15B back tax case involving Apple and Ireland. The court found that Ireland had granted Apple unlawful state aid which must be recovered, reversing a previous annulment by the General Court. This decision underscores the EU's stance on tax justice and its implications for Big Tech across Europe.