The firm's parent Alphabet has been given 90 days to change its business practices or face further penalties of up to 5% of its average global daily turnover.
It has said it plans to appeal. However, it could easily afford the fine if required - its cash reserves totalled nearly $103bn at the end of March.
At a press conference in Brussels, Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said consumers needed choice.
And she suggested the ruling could lead manufacturers to sell smart devices using different versions of the Android operating system to Google's, such as Amazon's Fire OS, which she said they had been prevented from doing.
What is the case against Google?
Ms Vestager alleges that there are three ways that Google has acted illegally:
1. it required Android handset and tablet manufacturers to pre-install the Google Search app and its own web browser Chrome as a condition for allowing them to offer access to its Play app store
2. it made payments to large manufacturers and mobile network operators that agreed to exclusively pre-install the Google Search app on their devices
.
3. it prevented manufacturers from selling any smart devices powered by alternative "forked" versions of Android by threatening to refuse them permission to pre-install its apps
Ms Vestager acknowledged that Google's version of Android does not prevent device owners downloading alternative web browsers or using other search engines.
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Iam Lucky Blings
EU was right to fine them and I hope they pay the fine so that things won’t get worst for them
Endy Edeson
Obanla & Lucky: Just imagine, it is a "coded" misconduct. I trust the western world. They know how to fish "brainy companies" out. Kudos to EU for letting us know that what Google is doing is bad. Imagine, monopolising their products in modern day market with lots of competitions? that's not possible.
Iam Lucky Blings
It should be open market and it must be competitive not google monopolizing it’s software on android users
Ogunbekun M Imoleayo
I'm sure they'll argue that in court, Google never banned anyone from creating their own version of Android..... playstore is proprietary not open source and there rules guiding it's use...
One of those rules is what killed Blackberry passport from using Android directly...
One of those rules is what killed Blackberry passport from using Android directly...
Endy Edeson
@Goodie: Apple's case is different from Google. Apple only restricted their iOS to their devices which has no effect on the market competition . In fact, it even reduce the spread of iOS . @Imoleayo; You are right. Google can appeal based on the content of your comment. @Lucky: Well said, it's a big battle for google and its competitors
Aruoture Goodie
There are actually several search engines na... I dnt knw y they r making this a fight...
Oluwaseun King Sofoluwe
Still don't understand what the crime is. Google invented Android and own their search engine so what's the wrong?
You ain't restricted to using Google search.
There are other search Engines that you can download if you prefer to...
You ain't restricted to using Google search.
There are other search Engines that you can download if you prefer to...