The European Court of Justice’s advocate general, Juliane Kokott, recommended in a non-binding opinion that Google’s appeal against the fine worth more than 4 billion euros ($4.7 billion) should be dismissed.
Kokott advised that the Court of Justice confirm the fine and uphold the lower court’s judgment, according to a press release summarizing her opinion.
Google said it was disappointed with the opinion, adding that if the court follows it, it “would discourage investment in open platforms and harm Android users, partners and app developers.”
″Android has created more choice for everyone and supports thousands of successful businesses in Europe and around the world,” the company said in a statement.
Opinions from the advocate general aren’t legally binding but are often followed by judges.
The judges “are now beginning their deliberations in this case. Judgment will be given at a later date,” the court said.
The fine was one of three antitrust penalties totaling more than 8 billion euros that the European Commission slapped on Google in the last decade, as the 27-nation bloc launched its crackdown on Big Tech companies.
