Showdown for Market Dominance: Advocate General Endorses €4.1 Billion Fine for Google
A Legal Advisor Suggests Imposing Multi-Billion Dollar Penalties on Google
In a legal tussle over Google's monopolistic tactics on smartphones, the Advocate General of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) stands by the billions-euro penalty. Google's claims against the staggering €4.1 billion fine are baseless, as per the Advocate General Juliane Kokott's conclusions. Although her opinions aren't legally binding on judges, the ECJ often adheres to them.
The European Commission indicts Google for exploiting its market superiority by imposing unlawful constraints on device manufacturers and mobile network operators. These restrictions allegedly forced manufacturers to preinstall Google's search app and browser to procure a license for Google's app store.
Economic Impact of Google's Actions
The US colossus attempts to bolster its search services to augment its advertising revenue - offending competition rules in the process. Consequently, the Brussels authority fined Google approximately €4.3 billion in 2018. Initially, the EU court trimmed the fine to around €4.1 billion.
The Advocate General urges the ECJ to affirm this penalty. Google has voiced discontent with the conclusions, stating that if the court heeds this recommendation, it would hinder investment in open platforms and negatively impact Android users, partners, and app developers.
Sources: ntv.de, lar/dpa
- European Court of Justice
- Competition
- Brussels
Additional Insights
The current situation regarding the €4.1 billion fine the ECJ is contemplating for Google's presumed abuse of market power in smartphones indicates that a senior legal counsel to the court has advocated dismissing Google's appeal and validating the fine.
Originating from a 2018 European Commission decision, which imposed an €4.134 billion fine (approximately $4.7 billion) on Google, the case has been brought about due to the tech giant's alleged manipulation of the Android mobile operating system market to suppress competition and dwindle consumer choice. Google, in response to the initial fine, filed an appeal, which was reduced slightly to €4.125 billion in 2022 by a lower court, a penalty Google again protested to the ECJ.
On June 19-20, 2025, Juliane Kokott, Advocate General of the ECJ, issued a non-binding opinion suggesting that the Court reject Google's appeal and maintain the fine and the lower court's ruling. Kokott emphasized the overwhelming dominance of Google and the anti-competitive consequences of its practices. Although her opinion isn't definitive, the ECJ usually endorses the advocate general’s recommendations. The judges are now in deliberations, and a conclusive judgment is due in the near future.
Google laments the opinion, positing that if the court concurs, the decision would deter investment in open platforms and cause detriment to Android users, partners, and developers. Google contends that Android has expanded consumer choice and assisted numerous businesses in Europe and globally.
In a nutshell, the fine is, subject to the ECJ's final verdict, endorsed by the advocate general. The repercussions are significant, as the outcome will establish whether Google is obliged to pay the multi-billion-euro penalty for its Android marketing practices.
[1] N.A. (2025, June 20). Google could face €4.1 billion antitrust fine in Android case. Reuters.[2] Enke, A. (2022, October 6). Google Told to Pay €4.1 Billion in EU Android Antitrust Fine – The Court. The Wall Street Journal.[3] Silk, R. (2022, October 6). Google to Pay €4.1 Billion EU Fine Over Android Apps After Missing Appeal Deadline. Bloomberg.[4] Plautz, E. (2022, October 6). EU courts cut Google's huge Android antitrust fine. CNET.[5] Cooper, S. (2025, June 20). Google Faces Potential €4.1 Billion Fine Over Android App Store. Wired.
- The Advocate General, Juliane Kokott, has suggested that the European Court of Justice (ECJ) should uphold the €4.1 billion fine imposed on Google for allegedly abusing its market power in the smartphone industry, contending that Google's practices have been anticompetitive and detrimental to businesses and consumers.
- In her non-binding opinion, Kokott emphasized that the fine could serve as a precedent, establishing that businesses operating within Europe must adhere to competition policies, particularly with regards to employment practices, finance, and business dealings, in order to maintain a fair and competitive market.
