Tech companies of a certain size have long expected an easy ride from authorities. Apple Inc. for years abused loopholes to pay virtually zero tax in the European Union, thanks to special treatment from Ireland, where it bases its European headquarters. Alphabet Inc.’s Google for years was able to entrench its dominance in search thanks to the special treatment the company gave its own shopping service over competitors.
Tech companies of a certain size have long expected an easy ride from authorities. Apple Inc. for years abused loopholes to pay virtually zero tax in the European Union, thanks to special treatment from Ireland, where it bases its European headquarters. Alphabet Inc.’s Google for years was able to entrench its dominance in search thanks to the special treatment the company gave its own shopping service over competitors.