[EU] Record breaking 4.34 billion fine against Google (Alphabet)

[Acidbaron]

A similar solution will be comparable to how Microsoft handled the internet explorer case.

[Slant]

Except you can solve contractual problems by using software to turn of problematic features. It's not that hard.

So, Google wants to turn off the Play store for Europe? LOL

Your logic is so childlike...

[PC2]

So, Google wants to turn off the Play store for Europe? LOL

Your logic is so childlike...

You'll have to ask them for the specifics. They may turn off some parts of it for Europe.

[Slant]

You'll have to ask them for the specifics. They may turn off some parts of it for Europe.

No, they won't. That's their cashcow for Android. Why do you think they're abusing their monopoly? That's the cool thing about antitrust cases. When you punish them, you can rely on one thing, they will not stop selling their product.

[PC2]

No, they won't. That's their cashcow for Android. Why do you think they're abusing their monopoly? That's the cool thing about antitrust cases. When you punish them, you can rely on one thing, they will not stop selling their product.

If you want an extra $4 billion in revenue periodically then Google won't stop selling their product. As long as the EU spreads out their "punishment" over time then both sides will be fine.

[Slant]

If you want an extra $4 billion in revenue periodically then Google won't stop selling their product. As long as the EU spreads out their "punishment" over time then both sides will be fine.

The EU doesn't live or die on those 4 billion. The 4 billion aren't even the point. The point is that this is a precursor to the 90 day limit and 5% revenue fine. That one, my friend, is indefinitely or until they decide to ramp it up. Little preview: We're already thinking of breaking Google up here.

All of this isn't meant to "generate Revenue", although I understand that your American viewpoint is rather limited in that regard. The actual goal here is to change the behaviour of Google. Permanently. Once they do that, we're good.

Just to drive this into your brain: The EU doesn't need the money. This isn't a response to tariffs. This has been years in the making. This is not about money. This isn't because we're poor and need to swindle money out of the US. If you understand nothing else, try to at least understand that this is a corrective measure because a company misbehaved and we're now asking them, rather nicely I might add, to change their behaviour.

[Slant]

Google’s a business. The EU is entitled to pass any law they like. Google will remain a business option in the EU as long as it’s profitable to them. As soon as loss from taxes/fines becomes possible to negate profit, Google will leave the EU. Then the EU would be fucked. Short of copyright violation, there’s no way to create a European Google. The algorithm and research is proprietary.

Google blocks European IPs for a day, and watch the EU change its tune. Google is the real power here.

First, Google wouldn't go nuclear on this. Second, there are alternatives. Once an entire continent jumps ship, because Google ceases to service the EU, search engines like Bing or Yelp wouldn't mind picking up the mantle and getting some serious business. At all.



Nope. Google won't pull out of the EU. They make too much money here. Way too much money.

[Mormolyce]

Android came with Chrome installed is the offense? Like people can't install Firefox or Opera in like 30 seconds time?

That's literally what got MS in hot water re: Explorer. So it'd be hypocrisy not to hold Google to the same standard.

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Google blocks European IPs for a day, and watch the EU change its tune. Google is the real power here.

Won't happen.

[Slant]

That's literally what got MS in hot water re: Explorer. So it'd be hypocrisy not to hold Google to the same standard.

While the EU rightly points out that this is about Google and not other companies, CNBC raised a valid question... what about Apple? Not as a whataboutism, but rather... are they next? Should they be next?

[Tackhisis]

Let's fine Redhat next: how dare they pre-install Firefox without providing an alternative?

[Mormolyce]

While the EU rightly points out that this is about Google and not other companies, CNBC raised a valid question... what about Apple? Not as a whataboutism, but rather... are they next? Should they be next?

Because they bundle Safari?

Kind of prompts the question: is it a monopoly if nobody uses it? :P

[Collegeguy]

You also keep thinking that the EU can't produce such a company or that said competitor can't be from the US also.

I'm kind of waiting for the EU to catch up in the tech industry. What is taking you guys so long?

[Rasulis]

To borrow the title from a Carpenter's song, “We've only just begun.”

Just like the Microsoft case in 2006, Google will appeal.

Just like Microsoft in 2012, the case will be decided years later and the fine reduced.

Just like Microsoft, Google will pay the fine and life will go on.

To borrow another Carpenter's song, "Yesterday Once More."

[Acidbaron]

I'm kind of waiting for the EU to catch up in the tech industry. What is taking you guys so long?

Start ups here move to the US since the climate regards to taxes more friendly. The price you pay for caring about your worker class.

The other side is the big tech giants tend to buy out companies for such large sums many gladly let them do it.

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While the EU rightly points out that this is about Google and not other companies, CNBC raised a valid question... what about Apple? Not as a whataboutism, but rather... are they next? Should they be next?

I think apple is a big offender on a lot of fronts regards to consumer rights. Maybe a much larger case is in the making.

[Acidbaron]

Not how this works but it would be a waste trying to explain it to you.

What do you mean a non profit organization isn't the same as a billion dollar multinational!

[Mormolyce]

Let's fine Redhat next: how dare they pre-install Firefox without providing an alternative?

If Red Hat had a major mobile phone platform I suppose it might be held to the same standard.

[Bakis]

Despite some of the usual juvenile US defensive corner coments in this thread, as others pointed out EU actually take consumer protection and antri-trust laws seriously.
As others pointed out EU is equal to US in terms of market revenue so I guess the comments such as "Hah, let Google pull out of EU and see what happens" are as utter moronic as usual.

Another fun fact is that the entity behind bringing Googles practice up with EU agencies in the first place include Microsoft and Oracle.
This will be appealed by Google as the last fine which is still not yet concluded so no reason to jump to conclusions yet.

Usually it ends up with the US tech giants bending down and doing changes. We saw the same brain dead comments by posters here in regards to Microsoft browser, Googles last EU fine, GDPR etc.
The tech companies simply tend to comply in the end while EU might also alter their demands a bit.

[PosPosPos]

Can't tell which part of the usual "businesses forced to play fairly will just move elsewhere" talking point is worse:

1) The fact that businesses can't play fairly to earn their revenue without threatening like a child throwing a tantrum to move elsewhere
2) or that people cheer on the anti-trust practices while knowing the victims of said practices are them.

Maybe that's why many entities are unscrupulous, because they were invited by their customers to do so.

[Slant]

Because they bundle Safari?

Kind of prompts the question: is it a monopoly if nobody uses it? :P

Nah, the question is if Apple is shady with their iTunes store. I don't have Apple, so I don't know.

[Deleted]

Good, good...one step further from the Druuge and the Crimson Corporation