Google Makes It A Habit: Breaks EU’s Antitrust Rules, Fined €1.49 Billion In Third Such Offence

European Commission (EC) on Wednesday (20 March) slapped Google with a new fine of €1.49 billion for abusing its dominant position in the market by restricting third-party rivals from displaying search ads between 2006 and 2016.

“The Commission has decided to fine Google 1.49 billion euros, for breaking the EU antitrust rules. Google has engaged in illegal practices in search advertising brokering to cement its dominant market position,” said the EC in a statement.

This is the third antitrust fine imposed on Google by the European competition regulator. In June 2017, EC fined Google for its illegal behaviour in comparison shopping services. Again in July 2018, Google was fined for its illegal behaviour relating to the Android mobile operating system and mobile apps and services.

Disadvantaged Rivals

The latest fine relates Google’s advertising platform AdSense which the company uses to sell ads next to its search results and also on other websites. According to the regulator, Google began including exclusivity contracts in its agreement with some of the most important websites on the web since 2006. This prevented sites from sourcing search ads from Google’s rivals, on any of their websites.

“The fine...reflects the serious and sustained nature of Google’s infringement. And anyone who has suffered damage because of Google’s behaviour can also claim compensation from Google in national courts,” the Commission added.

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