EU: Google could face record 3 billion euro antitrust fine

Google could face a record antitrust fine of around €3 billion from theEuropean Commission in the coming weeks.

The European Union has accused Google of promoting itsshopping service in internet searches at the expense of rivalservices in a case that has dragged on since late 2010.

Following three failed attempts at a compromise in the past six years, Google is believed not to have any plans to settle the allegations unless the EU’s Antitrust Commission changed its stance.

Google will also be banned from continuing to manipulate search results to favour itself and harm rivals.

The Commission can fine firms up to 10 per cent of theirannual sales, which in Google’s case would be a maximum possiblesanction of more than €6 billion (£4.7 billion).

The biggest antitrustfine to date was a €1.1 billion fine imposed on chip-makerIntel in 2009.

But the Telegraph reported the fine was likely to be in the region of €3 billion.

Full Content: Bloomberg

Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.