This week, the European Union has accused Google of cheating competitors by distorting internet search results in favour of its Google Shopping service. The EU has also launched an antitrust probe into Google’s Android mobile operating system.

“I am concerned that the company has given an unfair advantage to its own comparison shopping service, in breach of EU antitrust rules,” said Competition Commissioner Margrethe Ves­tager. “If the investigation confirms our concerns, Google would have to face the legal consequences and change the way it does business in Europe.”

The EU has sent Google a statement of objections to which the American tech giant can respond. The charges include interoperability. Google’s competitors are claiming that it has abused its 90 per cent market share by using its products, particularly search, to illegally promote its other products and services.

Punishments against Google could be significant. In 2009, the EU fined chip-maker Intel €1.06bn and upheld the fine on appeal last year. Microsoft had also been fined €497m after Sun Microsystems had accused Microsoft of abusing its majority share.

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