Google has been fined a record €4.3 billion ($5 billion/£3.8 billion) by Europe’s competition watchdog for abusing its dominant Android mobile operating system to cement the popularity of Google apps and services.
It’s the biggest antitrust fine ever given by Europe’s competition regulator against a single firm, and cements competition commissioner Margrethe Vestager’s reputation as Silicon Valley’s policewoman. Google said it would appeal the decision.
To read more about the decision, click here.
In other news:
A Facebook executive testified in front of the House Judiciary committee on Tuesday, fielding questions about how the platform polices content. During the hearing, the executive apologized to Diamond and Silk, pro-Trump vloggers who claim that Facebook is biased against conservatives.
Walmart is reportedly working on its own streaming service to challenge Netflix and Amazon. According to The Information, the streaming service could cost less than $8 per month.
Speaking of streaming services, more people are subscribing to Netflix and Amazon than pay-TV in a historic power shift. More people are subscribing to Netflix and Amazon in the UK than pay-TV services, like Sky.
Secretly filmed footage reveals the training Facebook moderators are put through. The footage has been recorded by a reporter for British broadcaster Channel 4.
BuzzFeed has launched a new BuzzFeed News website to give its more serious reporting its own home and identity, Tech Crunch reports. The site is separate from BuzzFeed, and is a move to draw a distinction from its viral lists and quizzes.