8 billion euros punishment is too light? EU plans to take tougher stance on Google, Apple, etc.
According to Reuters, a senior official of the European Commission revealed today that EU antitrust regulators are considering taking a tougher stance on technology giants so that they can take more measures to ensure a level playing field. The move is expected to affect Facebook, Amazon, Apple and Google.
At present, the four US technology companies have been targeted by EU antitrust agencies due to constant complaints from competitors.
Generally speaking, the European Commission first orders relevant companies to stop anti-competitive behavior. But Cecilio Madero Villarejo, the European Commission's acting director-general for market competition, said this may not be effective enough, especially in the digital market.
Cecilio Madero Villarejo pointed out: "In a changing market, this is actually a risk. It takes too long to issue a prohibition order to really enforce it; it is also difficult to monitor. Therefore, we may Develop some clearer measures that can better ensure the healthy development of the market to ensure a full restoration of a level playing field. "
On Monday, European Union antitrust commissioner Margrethe Vestager said that even after more than a decade of investigations, Google was fined more than 8 billion euros. But if you can go back in time, the fine will only increase.
Margrethe Vestager said, "If I knew what I knew about Google now, I would punish Google more boldly."
It is reported that in March this year, the EU antitrust agency imposed a fine of 1.49 billion euros on Google on the grounds of unfair advertising competition. Last July, Google used the monopoly position of the Android system to bundle sales of the "Chrome" browser. Received a fine of 4.34 billion euros from the European Union, setting a record for the highest fines ever imposed on high-tech companies by EU history. In 2017, Google fined 2.4 billion euros from the European Union for distorting search results and preventing small shopping sites from serving users.
At present, the four US technology companies have been targeted by EU antitrust agencies due to constant complaints from competitors.
Generally speaking, the European Commission first orders relevant companies to stop anti-competitive behavior. But Cecilio Madero Villarejo, the European Commission's acting director-general for market competition, said this may not be effective enough, especially in the digital market.
Cecilio Madero Villarejo pointed out: "In a changing market, this is actually a risk. It takes too long to issue a prohibition order to really enforce it; it is also difficult to monitor. Therefore, we may Develop some clearer measures that can better ensure the healthy development of the market to ensure a full restoration of a level playing field. "
On Monday, European Union antitrust commissioner Margrethe Vestager said that even after more than a decade of investigations, Google was fined more than 8 billion euros. But if you can go back in time, the fine will only increase.
Margrethe Vestager said, "If I knew what I knew about Google now, I would punish Google more boldly."
It is reported that in March this year, the EU antitrust agency imposed a fine of 1.49 billion euros on Google on the grounds of unfair advertising competition. Last July, Google used the monopoly position of the Android system to bundle sales of the "Chrome" browser. Received a fine of 4.34 billion euros from the European Union, setting a record for the highest fines ever imposed on high-tech companies by EU history. In 2017, Google fined 2.4 billion euros from the European Union for distorting search results and preventing small shopping sites from serving users.