Android case widens transatlantic rift

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Even before the ink could dry on Europe’s record €4.3 billion ($5 billion) antitrust fine against Google, clashing interpretations rushed into the Brussels-created fray. The financial penalty would change everything for Google and Silicon Valley’s other tech giants — it was a European attack on a “great” American company, according to a tweet from President Donald Trump. Or it would change nothing. As usual, the reality is somewhere in between.

For the tech giant’s critics, the €4.3 billion fine will open up the mobile world to greater competition and — more importantly — strengthen the backbones of other policymakers worldwide in their efforts to rein in Big Tech. But despite Brussels’ tough talk against the misdeeds of Silicon Valley, its latest fine is unlikely to topple Google as one of the largest gorillas in the digital jungle, at least not until users believe they can get better services elsewhere. For now, Europe has fired a warning shot across the bow of Big Tech. The true test will be if Vestager’s actions change peoples’ online habits.


Android case widens transatlantic rift