Google wins appeal against €1.49bn EU antitrust fine over ad curbs.
Brussels: In a blow to the EU antitrust authority, Google has won its court challenge against a €1.49 billion fine from the bloc over advertising restrictions.
The bloc had accused Google of stifling competitors in online search ads between 2006-2016 using its dominance. However, Europe’s General Court ruled the European Commission made errors in assessing abuse of position.
While upholding most findings, it annulled the penalty saying the marketplace and clauses were not fully considered.
Google welcomed the verdict after raking in billions in fines from the EU previously for competition law violations. Both US and UK watchdogs are also investigating Google’s lucrative ad business over monopoly allegations.
The case centered around claims Google prevented websites from using rivals’ ad brokers like AdSense, its portal linking advertisers to publishers.
The Commission argued Google then reinforced market control through “restrictive” contracts but failed to establish abuse as per the court. The decision offers a reprieve though Google still faces global regulatory heat over ad dominance issues.
