Google Joins Its U.S. Peers Under Europe’s Scrutiny

 

SAN FRANCISCO — Over the last few decades, Europe’s regulators have challenged the practices of some of the titans of American technology, including Microsoft, Intel and now Google.

And despite years of legal wrangling and in some cases, multibillion-dollar fines, the companies have conducted their businesses virtually unchanged.

Microsoft paid $3.4 billion in fines to European regulators over a decade, but its Windows software did not lose its dominant position in personal computers. Intel is still appealing its antitrust case, which began 15 years ago, even as it has become more powerful than ever in PC chips.

And despite five years of scrutiny by European regulators, Google showcases its own services prominently, such as maps and reviews, in its search results.