Google's ongoing European saga just saw a new development. After the record $5 billion antitrust fine issued by the European Commission last year, the company had to implement new screens to ask users if they wanted additional browsers and search engines on their devices, and now it's taking that one step further by making the search engine choice a default. However, as would any for-profit company do, it's using this as an opportunity to charge search providers that want to be featured.
Read MoreGoogle turns EU antitrust ruling into profit: Search providers will pay to be featured as default choice on Android
Europe fines Qualcomm €242 million for predatory pricing
The European Commission has just issued a fine of €242 million to Qualcomm for allegedly anti-competitive actions made by the company circa 2009-2011. The commission claims that Qualcomm abused its market position by using predatory pricing to push out competitors, selling some of its chipsets at a loss to Huawei and ZTE.
Read More[Update: Rolling out] Google introduces Android search and browser app choices for users in Europe
In the wake of the $5 billion antitrust fine it received from the European Commission last year, Google laid out plans to prompt Android users in Europe to choose a different default search or browser app. In a new blog post, Product Management Director Paul Gennai introduces the changes that will come as part of an imminent Google Play Store update.
Read MoreNew EU rules demand more transparency, fairness in online marketplaces from Google, Amazon, and others
As a result of new European Commission rules around the transparency of online platforms, Google already outlined planned improvements to its developer relations and communication about Play Store policy compliance. However, there are wider implications for Google, Amazon, Facebook, and others as the rules governing digital practices were approved on Wednesday.
Read MoreEU hits Google with €1.5 billion AdSense antitrust fine
Just this morning, we wrote about Google and the European Commission getting along, with Google proactively encouraging users to use other browsers and search engines than their own. Now, they're back at war. The Commission has fined Google €1.49 billion for breaching EU antitrust rules concerning AdSense.
Read MoreEU planning yet another Google antitrust fine, this time targeting AdSense
Google just can't catch a break in Europe. The US company has been fined $7.6 billion in the last few years over Android and Search practices, and now the EU is preparing a new penalty regarding what it views as anticompetitive AdSense contracts.
Read MoreAptoide gains injunction against Google in latest antitrust case, compensation could follow
Google's legal troubles in Europe continue as a European Commission court has accepted an injunction filed by alternative app store Aptoide. The antitrust complaint came after Google used Play Protect to warn users that Aptoide was potentially harmful.
Read MoreGoogle says Android provides choice, plans to appeal EU antitrust fine
This morning, Google was hit with an enormous $5.06 billion fine for what the European Commission considers to be anti-competitive practices — specifically, those that push users toward Google's own apps and services. CEO Sundar Pichai has penned a response that outlines where the company disagrees, pointing out the ease with which users can install alternatives to Google's pre-loaded apps, and making clear that the company plans to appeal the Commission's decision.
Read MoreThe Best Of AP
Google hit with record $5 billion Android antitrust fine by EU
The amount Google must pay the European Commission for its latest antitrust fine has now been revealed as a record 4.34 billion euros ($5.06 billion). That figure dwarfs the $2.7 billion fine Google previously received for giving preferential treatment to its own shopping comparison tools in searches.
Read MoreEuropean Parliament wants smartphones and other tech to last longer and be easier to repair
In a plenary session at the European Parliament yesterday, there was an interesting conversation about consumer electronics that could lead to some very positive legislation for smartphone buyers in Europe. MEPs discussed how to ensure that goods and software are easier to repair and update. Essentially, they want to tackle the industry propensity towards planned obsolescence and regular upgrades.
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