US technology giant Google has been hit with a record-breaking €2.42bn (£2.14bn) fine from the European Union.
According to European regulators, Google denied real choice to consumers and deprived competitors from being able to publicise themselves on a level playing field, by promoting its own online shopping service in searches.
A statement issued by the European Commission (EC) added that the company must now end the conduct within 90 days or face penalty payments of up to 5% of the average daily worldwide turnover of Alphabet, Google’s parent company.
Speaking about the ruling, Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, responsible for competition policy, said: “Google has come up with many innovative products and services that have made a difference to our lives. That’s a good thing. But Google’s strategy for its comparison shopping service wasn’t just about attracting customers by making its product better than those of its rivals. ...