In Google fine, shades of Microsoft 2001

By Felicity Duncan.It occurred to me a few days ago that there are a lot of similarities between the recent EU competition fine levied on Google and the famous 2001 Microsoft antitrust fine (antitrust is what they call competition issues Stateside). .As you may recall, in 2001, Microsoft reached a settlement with the US Department of Justice over its abuse of its monopoly power over desktop computer operating systems. Specifically, internet browser companies complained that Microsoft was abusing its dominance to shut out competitors and force consumers to use Internet Explorer. Microsoft was nearly broken into two by the case but reached a settlement on appeal..___STEADY_PAYWALL___.Shades of today — Google has been fined by the EU for abusing its monopoly power over mobile phone operating systems. Specifically, the company has been abusing its dominance to shut out competitors and force consumers to use Chrome and Google search (Google requires handset makers to preinstall Chrome and Google search if they want to offer the Google Play Store)..Markets have shrugged off the fine, but it's worth remembering that Microsoft once seemed set to dominate tech forever, until competition authorities forced it to back down, opening the way, ironically, for Google..In Premium today, you can get all the details of Facebook's dismal results and you can find out what's at stake in the upcoming Zimbabwean elections (as well as who might win). You can also learn why these days at least, you're never too old for your first tattoo.

In Google fine, shades of Microsoft 2001

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