Google Fined €2.95 Billion for Antitrust Violation

The European Commission has fined Google €2.95 billion for violating EU antitrust rules regarding its digital advertising platform. This is the fourth fine imposed on Google in a decade-long dispute with EU competition authorities.

The Commission stated that Google favored its own ad tech services over competitors and publishers, abusing its market power since 2014. Google has been given 60 days to cease its 'self-preferencing' practices.

Google has criticized the decision and announced it will appeal. Lee-Anne Mulholland, Google's Vice President, stated the decision is 'wrong' and will harm European businesses.

The EU previously fined Google a record €4.3 billion in 2018, following fines of €2.42 billion in 2017 and €1.49 billion in 2019.