[r_singh]

This makes even more sense with context from Google's deal with Apple to make Google Search the default on iPhones for which it pays $3B.

Considering that, $5B doesn't seem to be much of a fine to be literally on the head of most smartphones in the world.

[makomk]

Last I heard, Google didn't actually require Google Search to be the default on Android phones. For a while Microsoft was paying some manufacturers to make Bing the default, and in some cases even requiring them to stop users from changing it.

[archi42]

That's hefty. But this does affect all major iPhone markets, not the EU alone. So they probably (maybe. I guess.) only put a fraction of that on the bill.

[r_singh]

It's also worth noting that it's $3B per year that Google pays Apple though.

https://www.cnbc.com/2017/08/14/google-paying-apple-3-billio...

[archi42]

Good point. But I think if Google/Alphabet does not comply, the commission could fine them again. But that's difficult to judge now... All we consumers can do is wait for Google's next move and where it leads from there.

But generally, this is a step in the right direction. As much as I am a fan of early Google and the great services they offer, a big part of me doesn't like the privacy-nightmare conglomerate they became.

[r_singh]

Yeah I agree. This is a particularly interesting situation because I love part of google while simultaneously am afraid of parts of it as well.

I would be sad if google was beaten out of existence (seems unlikely I know) even though my permissions are probably being abused by google and their effect on me all in all may not be great. However, it makes me happy to see that the EU is working on making google better.