BBC/CNN reports: Europe fines Google a record $5 billion

On July 18, 2018, the European Commission ordered Google to pay 4.34 billion euros ($5 billion) to unfairly promote its mobile-only apps and defeat competitors.

Margaret Vestager, Europe's largest antitrust official, said in a statement: Google has used android as a tool to consolidate its dominant search engine.

The European Commission says Google violates legal requirements to install Google search and Chrome apps as a condition for licensing the Google App Store.

Google pays some large smartphone manufacturers and network operators to install apps on their phones before selling them. It also prevents manufacturers from selling devices that run on alternative versions of its Android operating system.

Google has been ordered to stop these practices or face additional penalties.

Foreign media said that Google may refuse the fine request.