Google faces $5-billion record anti-trust penalty by EU over Android apps

The European Commission fine will exceed last year's then-record 2.4 billion-euro penalty following an investigation into Google's shopping search service

Google will be fined around 4.3 billion euros ($5 billion) by the European Union over Android apps on Wednesday, setting a new record for antitrust penalties, according to a person familiar with the EU decision.

The fine, to be announced about midday on Wednesday, ends an EU probe into Google’s contracts with smartphone manufacturers and telecoms operators. Google Chief Executive Officer Sundar Pichai had a call with EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager late Tuesday for a so-called state of play meeting, a usual step to alert companies of an impending penalty, according to one of the people, who asked not to