Fact Check: Google's original fine was the largest ever at €4.34 billion.

Fact Check: "Google's original fine was the largest ever at €4.34 billion."

What We Know

In July 2018, the European Commission imposed a record fine of €4.34 billion (approximately $5.1 billion at the time) on Google for violating EU antitrust laws related to its Android operating system. This fine was the largest ever levied by a European competition authority against a single company, as confirmed by multiple sources (New York Times, BBC). The European Commission found that Google had abused its market dominance by requiring manufacturers to pre-install its search app and browser as a condition for accessing the Google Play Store, which restricted competition and consumer choice (New York Times, European Commission).

Analysis

The claim that Google's original fine was the largest ever at €4.34 billion is supported by credible sources. The New York Times explicitly states that this fine was the largest ever handed out by a European competition authority, which aligns with the European Commission's own announcement (European Commission). The BBC also corroborates this information, detailing the circumstances surrounding the fine and its implications for competition in the tech industry (BBC).

The reliability of these sources is high; the New York Times is a well-respected news organization known for its rigorous journalistic standards, while the BBC is a globally recognized public service broadcaster. Both outlets provide detailed accounts of the events and the legal context surrounding the fine, making their reporting trustworthy.

While some discussions have emerged regarding the subsequent reduction of the fine to €4.125 billion due to appeals and recalculations, the original fine of €4.34 billion remains the focal point of this claim. The reduction does not negate the fact that the initial fine was indeed the largest ever imposed (New York Times, Politico).

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that Google's original fine was the largest ever at €4.34 billion is accurate. This figure is well-documented in multiple reputable sources, confirming its status as the highest antitrust fine imposed by a European authority to date.

Sources

1. E.U. Scores Major Legal Victory Against Google - New York Times
2. Google hit with €4.3bn Android fine from EU - BBC
3. Google – Wikipedia - Wikipedia
4. Google - Google
5. Google should lose bid to overturn €4.1B EU Android fine - Politico
6. Google Chrome ‑selain - Google
7. Antitrust: Commission fines Google €4.34 billion for abuse of - European Commission
8. Google - Google