Google Grapples with Gigantic Australian Fine
Google has agreed to pay a fine of 55 million Australian dollars (approximately 36 million US dollars) after an investigation by Australia’s consumer regulator found evidence of anti-competitive practices, Reuters reports.
The allegations stated that Google paid the country’s two leading telecom companies, Telstra and Optus, to pre-install their search app on Android phones, effectively sidelining rival search engines. The deal was in effect from late 2019 to early 2021.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said the arrangement had a significant impact on market competition. However, Google no longer engages in such agreements and has agreed to pay the fine.
ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said, “This ruling will provide millions of Australian users with more search options in the future and create opportunities for competing search engines to enter the market.”
The decision comes amid a challenging period for Google in Australia. Last week, a court largely ruled against Google and Apple in a case brought by Epic Games. Additionally, YouTube was recently added to the list of social media platforms banned for users under 16.
