Regulators in the European Union are considering a large fine against Alphabet, Google’s parent company, due to antitrust violations. The only way for Alphabet to avoid a fine is for it to stop paying phone makers to preinstall Google search on their units. Those deals are violating the EU’s antitrust rules.
Officials in Europe have been complaining about Alphabet’s Android-related practices for months. Earlier this year, the European Commission pointed out problems with Alphabet requiring phone makers to install Google apps in order to gain access to the Google Play Store.
The EU may also target Alphabet due to its alleged favoring of Google Shopping over competing services.
