Google and Apple lose billions of dollars

(Patria) - The EU Court yesterday confirmed two important decisions of the European Commission - a fine of 2.4 billion euros for Google and that Apple received illegal support in Ireland of 13 billion euros which it must repay.

The EU Court confirmed a fine of 2.4 billion euros imposed on Google for abusing its dominant position by favouring its own product comparison service, Hina reports.

In 2017, the Commission imposed a fine of approximately 2.4 billion euros on Google for abusing its dominant position in several national internet search markets by favouring its own product comparison service over the same service of its competitors.

Since the General Court essentially upheld that decision and retained that fine, Google and Alphabet appealed to the Court, which has now been rejected.

The EU Court also confirmed the European Commission's 2016 decision that Ireland granted illegal support to Apple, which it is obliged to repay.

The General Court annulled the Commission's decision in 2020, considering that it had not sufficiently proven the existence of a selective advantage in favour of these companies.

After the Commission appealed, the Court has now overturned the General Court's ruling and finally decided on the dispute, confirming the Commission's decision.

The Court confirmed that Apple gained an illegal benefit from tax breaks, which constitute state aid granted by Ireland. This support related to the tax treatment of profits from Apple's activities outside the USA.