Google fined $2.7B; Sprint explores deal with Comcast, Charter; Seattle's $15 minimum harms workers

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European Union regulators slapped Google with a record $2.7 billion antitrust fine for favoring its own shopping services over rivals. The result of a seven-year-long investigation into Google, which holds more than 90% of the market in online search across Europe, will require the tech giant to, within 90 days, provide technical solutions that fight perceived antitrust abuse. Google has repeatedly claimed it hasn't done anything illegal, and has the right to appeal the decision. #GoogleEUAntitrust

?Sprint is in exclusive talks for wireless offerings with Comcast and Charter, The Wall Street Journal reports, putting merger discussions with T-Mobile on hold — at least through late July. The three companies are exploring a deal that could boost wireless A Sprint/T-Mobile merger remains possible "may still be the most likely outcome.” Another remote possibility — a joint purchase of Sprint by Comcast and Charter. #SprintCharterComcast

Seattle's $15 per hour minimum wage hike is harming low-wage workers, according to a new study, awaiting peer review, by the National Bureau of Economic Research. In the three years since the increase some employers have cut payrolls, delayed hiring, and reduced hours, The Washington Post reports. While worker pay is up 3%, hours are down 9%, which amounts to an average net loss of $125 per month. #SeattleMinimumWage

The Supreme Court made three big decisions on its last day in session, in addition to allowing the Trump travel ban to take effect before arguments on the case are heard in the fall...

...In a major church-state decision, it decided states can’t discriminate against religious institutions on matters of funding for public safety. The court also said states must list both parents on the birth certificates of same-sex couples’ children, and that it will decide next term if a baker can refuse to make a cake for a gay wedding. It also declined to hear a challenge to a California law that places strict limits on carrying guns in public. #SCOTUSfinale

Big Brother is watching in China?. Facial recognition technology has been becoming more commonplace as part of a social-engineering experiment to help monitor citizens, The WSJ reports. The goal is to influence behavior and find — even shame — lawbreakers. By 2020, China hopes to provide citizens with a national "social credit" system that rates each citizen based on how they behave in the workplace, public venues and with their financial dealings. #ChinaFacialRecognition

What's your take? Join the conversations on today's stories: #GoogleEUAntitrust | #SprintCharterComcast | #SeattleMinimumWage | #SCOTUSfinale | #ChinaFacialRecognition

— Lorraine K. Lee / Share this using #DailyRundown