The European Commission has levied a fine of €295 billion against Google, citing violations of EU competition rules The penalty, announced Friday, represents the second-highest fine the Commission has ever imposed, following a €43 billion fine issued in 2018
The Commission alleges that Google abused its dominant position in the ad tech market, unfairly favoring its own ad tech services for display advertising over those of competitors Specifically, the Commission claims Google prioritized its own offerings, potentially disadvantaging rival companies and stifling competition within the sector
Google has been given a 60-day period to inform the European Commission of measures it will take to address potential conflicts of interest and ensure fair competition moving forward The technology giant has confirmed its intention to appeal the decision The case underscores the ongoing scrutiny of major technology firms by European regulators focused on maintaining a competitive digital market