Googling "how to delete apps"… Yesterday the European Union ordered Google to pay a massive $4B after the tech titan lost an appeal challenging an antitrust ruling. Back in 2018, the search giant was fined $5B over accusations it forced manufacturers to preinstall Google apps (think: Chrome, Search) on Android phones. FYI: about 70% of smartphones in Europe run on Google’s Android.
The EU’s antitrust arsenal… is stacked. Earlier this year, EU policymakers approved laws aimed at regulating tech juggernauts. Under the Digital Markets Act, companies can be fined up to 10% of their global revenue for breaking the rules — and up to 20% for repeat offenses. It could all add up for techies caught in the crosshairs:
“Hot Antitrust Summer” may be over… but a chilly antitrust fall may be dawning. Antitrust crackdowns abroad could push policymakers to increase pressure in the US, where tech regulation has largely stalled. It’s already starting: yesterday California regulators sued Amazon, alleging it prevents merchants from offering lower prices through competitors’ sites.