Google Hit With $5 Billion Fine Over Android in Europe

Google will be fined a record 4.3 billion euros ($5 billion) over its Android operating system, numerous outlets reported Wednesday morning. The European Commission has been investigating claims that Google’s mobile-device strategy unfairly strengthened its dominance of search. The alleged anti-competitive behavior by Google includes: requiring Android handset manufacturers to set its search engine as the default and pre-installing the Chrome browser; preventing manufacturers from selling mobile devices powered by rival operating systems based on Android’s open-source code; and giving device manufacturers financial incentives to pre-install its search service. Google has previously denied forcing device makers to preload any of its apps. The huge fine, set to be confirmed at a press conference in Brussels later Wednesday, could still be appealed by the tech giant.