EU Fines Google $3.5B; Must Divest Part of Ad-Tech Business
3 days ago
- #EU
- #Antitrust
- The European Union has fined Google $3.5 billion (2.95 billion euro) for favoring its own digital advertising services, violating competition rules.
- Google is required to divest part of its ad-tech business and end 'self-preferencing practices' to resolve anti-competitive issues.
- This is the EU's fourth antitrust penalty against Google, following previous fines in 2018 ($5 billion over Android) and 2016 (AdSense/AdWords).
- Google plans to appeal, calling the fine 'unjustified' and claiming the required changes will harm European businesses.
- The EU has given Google 60 days to propose compliance measures, threatening forced divestment if it fails to act.
- The ruling contrasts with weaker remedies in the US, raising questions about whether the EU can enforce stricter antitrust measures.