Google Hit with $44 Million Order in Indonesia's Chromebook Case

Google has been ordered to pay $44 million in Indonesia's Chromebook case, according to a recent court ruling. The decision was made by the Jakarta High Court, which reduced the restitution order against Gojek founder Nadiem Makarim from about Rp809 billion to Rp548.8 billion.

The case centers around a laptops-for-schools program that ran from 2020-2022 and distributed Google's Chromebook devices to schools across Indonesia. The court ruled that suppliers involved in the program are liable to pay back the total amount lost by the state, which was put at Rp1.568 trillion ($94 million). Google is on the hook for half of this amount.

The ruling does not mean Google is guilty of a crime, but rather that it is responsible for returning the money made from the program. The court has urged prosecutors to investigate the company and others involved in the program further.