Google Faced Heavy Penalty of Nearly €3 Billion by Brussels for Abusing Digital Advertising Market
The European Commission has imposed a fine of €2.95 billion on Google, the tech multinational behind the world's most used browser and various digital services like Gmail and Android, for abusing its dominant position in the digital advertising market. This fine follows another €4 billion fine imposed on Google for violating EU competition rules in the Android mobile operating system.
The fine, announced today, is the second-highest ever for abusing a dominant position. The investigation into Google's practices was opened in 2021.
Brussels has ordered Google to end the practice that favours its own advertising technology services, and to eliminate conflicts of interest found throughout the digital advertising supply chain. The tech giant has been favouring its own services to the detriment of other providers, a practice that the European Commission finds to be in violation of the rules of the political-economic bloc.
The decision comes after a thorough investigation into Google's practices, which began in 2021. The announcement of the fine was initially scheduled for the beginning of the week but was delayed due to negotiations with Washington over the trade war.
This is not the first time Google has faced penalties for violating EU competition rules. In 2018, the company was fined €4.34 billion for using its Android mobile operating system to cement its dominance in online search.
The European Commission continues to monitor the tech industry closely, with the aim of ensuring fair competition and protecting consumers. The fine imposed on Google is a clear indication of the Commission's commitment to upholding the rules of the European Union.
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