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EU Court Rules Against Apple and Google in Landmark Cases
In a groundbreaking decision, the EU Court has ruled against tech giants Apple and Google, setting a precedent for data privacy and competition laws. Explore the implications of these landmark cases on the tech industry and consumer rights.
EU Court Delivers Landmark Rulings Against Apple and Google
The European Union’s highest court, the Court of Justice of the European Union, announced a significant victory on Tuesday in the ongoing effort to regulate the technology sector, rejecting appeals from both Apple and Google in two pivotal legal cases. These decisions are a crucial step in the EU’s long-standing campaign to impose stricter regulations on some of the world’s most powerful technology firms.
Apple and Google have frequently found themselves in the crosshairs of EU regulators, facing numerous legal challenges over the years. In the case involving Apple, the court upheld a 2016 directive requiring Ireland to recover €13 billion (approximately $14.4 billion today) in unpaid taxes from the tech giant. This ruling followed findings that Apple had engaged in illicit agreements with the Irish government, allowing the company to pay minimal taxes on its European operations during certain fiscal years.
Earlier, Apple had successfully contested this directive, leading to a favorable ruling for the company. However, the European Commission, which serves as the EU’s executive arm, subsequently appealed the decision to the Court of Justice, resulting in the recent ruling against Apple.
In a separate case concerning Google, the court affirmed the European Commission’s 2017 decision to impose a hefty fine of €2.4 billion on the company. This penalty was a result of Google’s preferential treatment of its own price-comparison shopping service over its competitors, which was deemed unfair practice. Google had previously lost an appeal regarding this fine in 2021.
The imposition of penalties on Apple and Google signifies a transformative shift in the regulatory landscape governing the technology industry. Historically, governments worldwide adopted a largely hands-off approach to tech oversight, permitting giants such as Apple, Google, Amazon, and Facebook (now Meta) to grow exponentially while reshaping various aspects of daily life, work, shopping, and communication.