Google 2.95 billion euros was fined by the European Union to abuse advertising
Google was fined with a value of 2.95 billion euros (2.5 billion pounds) by the European Union for allegedly using its power in the advertising technology sector – a technology that determines ads that must be placed online and where.
The European Commission said on Friday that the technology giant has violated competition laws by preferring its own products to display advertisements online, at the expense of competitors.
It comes amid the increase in scrutiny by organizers all over the world On the giant technology empire in searching and advertising online.
Google BBC told the committee’s decision “wrong” and would resume this.
“It imposes an unjustified fine and requires changes that will harm thousands of European companies by making it difficult for them to earn money,” said Li Malholland, the global head of organizational affairs in Google.
“There is nothing hostile to competing in providing services to advertising buyers and sellers, and there are more alternatives to our services more than ever.”
In its decision on Friday, the Google Committee was accused of “self -assignment” its own technique over others.
As part of its findings, it said that Google has intentionally strengthened its ads, ADX, on competing exchanges where ads are purchased and sold in actual time.
She said that competitors and publishers faced higher costs and low revenues as a result, claiming that these were transferred to consumers in the form of more expensive services.
The regulatory authority ordered the company to end such practices, as well as pay the penalty of approximately 3 billion euros.
The fine of the committee is one of the largest fines it provided to technology companies accused of violating competition rules so far.
In 2018, Google fined 4.34 billion euros (3.9 billion pounds) – accusing its Android operating system’s use company to Enhancing himself as a dominant player in this market.
The Tersa Ribera, Vice -President of the Executive Committee, said in a statement on Friday that the organizer had clarified in the previous results of Google anti -competition behavior when deciding to impose a higher fine.
She said: “In line with our usual practice, we have increased the fine of Google because this is the third time that Google has broken the rules of the game.”
Mrs. Ribera also warned the technology giant who had 60 days to detail how to change its practices, otherwise the committee will look forward to imposing its own solution.
“At this stage, it seems that the only way to end Google to end the effective conflicts of interest is a structural treatment, such as selling part of its business in the field of advertising technology,” she said.
Earlier this week, the committee denied that the reports that led to the delay in the declaration of the Google fine amid tensions on trade relations between the European Union and the United States.
President Donald Trump has often criticized bloc fines and procedures for enforcement against American technology companies in recent months, saying Fears were shared by some technology executives.