Google Could Face Heavy Antitrust Fines In the EU

Posted by timothy on Sunday September 23, 2012 @08:13AM from the we-understand-you've-got-a-lot-of-money dept.

SquarePixel writes "Europe's competition watchdog is considering formal proceedings against Google over antitrust complaints about the way it promotes its own services in search results, potentially exposing the company to a fine of 10 percent of its global turnover. Google is accused of using its search service to direct users to its own services and to reduce the visibility of competing websites and services. If the Commission found Google guilty of breaking E.U. competition rules, it could restrict Google's business activities in Europe and fine the company up to 10 percent of its annual global revenue (US$37.9 billion last year)."

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Fining Google outside of Europe? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-09-23 08:33 · Score: 0, Troll

So the EU wants to fine Google for all of these supposedly malicious activities that happened completely outside of Europe and had not effect on Europe at all? Hrm.. if only this was the U.S. under a Republican President, then we could see about 500 posts on how the Imperialistic America is forcing its laws on people all over the world. However, since it's the EU then it's "consumer protection" to go after the Big Evil American company for it nefarious activities taking place in Burkina Faso and Papua New Guinea...