Google faces record fine for phone abuse

THE European Commission is poised to hit Google with another record-breaking fine over competition concerns about its Android mobile phone software, it has been claimed.

Brussels has accused the internet search company of unfairly requiring handset makers to pre-load its apps on to smartphones before they are sold to customers.

It could see competition commissioner Margrethe Vestager impose a penalty on the firm within weeks.

This could be even bigger than the record- breaking £2.1bn fine handed down by Vestager in July for Google’s manipulation of shopping search results to favour its own services.

A commission spokesman yesterday declined to comment. But such a move against Google would significantly up the stakes in the European Union’s battle with the Silicon Valley company.

If the company challenges the commission’s proposed fine, it could set the stage for years of bitter legal wrangling.

A spokesman for Google declined to comment.